Sanskrit Wisdom - 69

Annadaanam param daanam vidhyaadaanam atah param |

Annena kshaNikaa truptih yaavajjeevam cha vidhyayaa ||

AnnadanaM prM danaM ivaVadanaM At: prma\ a
Annoana xaiNaka tRiPt: yaavajjaIvaM ca ivaVyaa aa

Explanation

Giving food to the hungry is a pious act of charity (dana); but superior to it is the gift of knowledge (vidyadanam). Because food relieves hunger only temporarily while imparted knowledge lasts lifelong (refer to subhāşita no 51).