A Few Leaves
A Few Leaves / Simsapa Sutta (SN 56:31)
The Buddha takes up a handful of leaves and asks if there are more in the forest. Of course those in his hand are few and those in the forest are many. He says this is like the few things he has taught compared with the many things that he has not. The few things, particularly the four noble truth, are directly beneficial for those who wish to be liberated. The many things he has learned but not taught are not directly beneficial.