Tirukkural-On Virtue-Avoiding Covetousness-Kural 175

Of what avail is a keen intellect and wide knowledge,
If greed seizes him and he covets at every turn.

Experience shows that greed is a malady which does not spare even men of keen intellect and great learning. Even they stoop to covetousness; and that way lies the road to ruin. What then is the purpose of all their knowledge and wisdom?

The following two passages of the Gita are meaningful in this context:-

'When the intellect crosses beyond the taint of illusion, then shall thou attain, regarding things heard and things yet to be heard.'

(Gita 2, 52)

'That man who lives devoid of longing abandoning all desires, without the sense of I or Mine, he attains peace'.

(Gita 2, 71)