I am looking for that very specific sutta in the Pâli Canons wherein it is made plain that such a one not having himself attained to liberation, is not qualified to liberate other. The simile, I think, is about being mired in quicksands...
Thank you for your kind attention, your help is very much appreciated.
The sutta you are looking for can be found in the MN 8 - Sallekha Sutta: Effacement.
Here the Buddha gives the following teaching to Ven. Cunda:
(The way of extinguishing)
- “Cunda, that one who is himself sinking in the mud should pull out another who is sinking in the mud is impossible; that one who is not himself sinking in the mud should pull out another who is sinking in the mud is possible. That one who is himself untamed, undisciplined, [with defilements] unextinguished, should tame another, discipline him, and help extinguish [his defilements] is impossible; that one who is himself tamed, disciplined, [with defilements] extinguished, should tame another, discipline him, and help extinguish [his defilements] is possible
Quicksand similes / references
Following are the only 2 Quicksand references as per SC.
Attaining true liberation / is just like this: once rid of afflictions, / the quicksand of desires, no one knows / whither he went.
And
“Like as a strong man lends a helping hand To weaker, sunk in mire or in quicksand: So, Queen Pancati, thou hast saved me here, With verses sung so sweetly in mine ear.”
