Thirukkural-On Virtue-Impermanence Of The World-Kural 331

The base ignorance that mistakes the transient things of life, As of permanent value, is really despicable.

The ignorance that mistakes transience for permanence is to be despised. Only the people who do not possess a deep insight into the affairs of the world, will assess men and things, by their highly transient superficial appearance and form the stand-point of purely material values.

Such a practice will surely entail the loss of the ultimately permanent and cherished spiritual values. Hence this policy is to be considered shortsighted and foolish.