Just as whatsoever creatures adopt the four postares do so in dependence on the earth, so does a monk develop the seven bojjhangas, dependent on virtue. S.v.78.
Supposing a man were to collect all the grass, sticks, etc., in Jambudípa, and after making sticks of various sizes were to impale on them all the creatures of the ocean, creatures of all sizes, even so a majority of the minute animals would remain free, being too small to be impaled. Even thus widespread is the ruin of things, yet from such widespread ruin will be saved those who have the gift of realizing the Four Noble Truths. S.v.441.