Much though he recites the sacred texts,
but acts not accordingly,
that heedless man is like a cowherd
who only counts the cows of others –
he does not partake of the blessings of the holy life.
Little though he recites the sacred texts,
but puts the Teaching into practice,
forsaking lust, hatred, and delusion,
with true wisdom and emancipated mind,
clinging to nothing of this or any other world –
he indeed partakes of the blessings of a holy life.
– The Buddha
(Dhammapada Verses 19-20)
