Thirukkural-On Wealth-On Wisdom-Kural-430

Thirukkural 430, Wisdom
Arivudaiyaar ellaam udaiyaar arivilaar
Ennudaiya raenum ilar

The wise have all blessings, even if not possessed with worldly goods,
But the ignorant rich have nothing.

The implication here, Rajaji would say, is that a discriminating mind is the greatest of all human assets. Without it, all other possessions will come to nothing.

A chronologically later parallel occurs in Pazhamozhi thus:
“Arivinaal maatchi onrillaa oruvan
Pridhinaal maanda thevanam
Mani ponnum, saanthamum maalaiyum inna
Aniyellaam aadaiyin pin" (Pazhamozhi )

A Biblical reference in the Proverbs is as under:

The wise shall inherit the earth, but shame
Shall be the promotion of fools
(Proverb: 3, 35)