By knowledge one understands the nature of substances, by faith one believes in them, by conduct one puts an end to the flow of Karmas and by austerity one attains purity.
The most important thing in life is knowledge; knowledge precedes compassion. This is how all monks achieve self-control. What can an ignorant person do? How will he distinguish the meritorious deeds from the evil ones ?
Knowledge is that which helps to understand reality, controls the mind and which enlightens the soul.
Knowledge is of no use in the absence of right conduct, conduct is of no use in the absence of right knowledge. When a lame man and a blind man in a forest are caught in a conflagration, both get burnt because the lame cannot walk and the blind cannot see.
Knowledge and conduct together lead to success, just as in a forest fire, when a blind and a lame help each other both manage to reach destination. A chariot does not move by one wheel alone.
After listening to scriptures, a person knows what are good and evil deeds and, having known both, he should practise that which is conducive to reach the highest goal.
Without right faith there is no right knowledge; without right knowledge there is no virtuous conduct; without vattues, there is no annihilation of karmas and without annihilation there is no liberation.