Ja 89 The Story about the Cheat
(Kuhakajātaka)
In the present one monk gets his living in dishonest ways. When the Buddha finds out he tells a story of an ascetic in the past who tried to steal his supporter’s savings, all the while appearing as more than virtuous (full story).
1. Vācā va kira te āsi saṇhā, sakhilabhāṇino,
Tiṇamatte asajjittho, no ca nikkhasataṁ haran-ti.
It seems that your words are gentle, and that they are kindly spoken, he clings onto a mere straw, but does not take a hundred in gold.
In this connection, it seems that your words are gentle, and that they are kindly spoken, thinking: “For those gone forth it is not suitable to take even a straw without it being given,” thus kindly, delicate words are spoken it seems that your words are gentle, Slight paraphrase of the verse. it is smooth spoken words only, this is the meaning.
He clings onto a mere straw, cheating ascetic, being anxious about this blade of grass you cling, cleave to, attach to it.
But does not take a hundred in gold means he is the kind to not cling to, not attach to, taking this hundred in gold. A nikkha is a measure of gold, PED says: a golden coin or a weight of gold (cp. a “pound sterling”) equal to 15 suvaṇṇas.