法苑珠林 24.14

24.14

雖誦千章　句義不正　不如一要
聞可滅意　雖誦千言　不義何益
不如一義　聞行可度　雖多誦經
不解何益　解一法句　行可得道

"Though one chant a thousand chapters, / If the phrases and meanings are not correct, / It is not as good as a single essential: / Hearing it, one can extinguish mental [defilements]. / Though one chant a thousand words, / If they lack meaning, of what benefit are they? / It is not as good as a single meaningful phrase: / Hearing and practicing it, one can be delivered. / Though one recites many scriptures, / If one does not understand, of what benefit is it? / Understanding a single phrase of Dharma, / One can attain the Way through its practice."