Chapter 30 — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 30

Valmiki Ramayana — Sundara Kanda

Verse 30.37

अर्थानान्तरे बुद्धिनिश्चितापि न शोभते। घातयन्ति हि कार्याणि दूताः पण्डितमानिनः॥

arthānāntare buddhiniścitāpi na śobhate| ghātayanti hi kāryāṇi dūtāḥ paṇḍitamāninaḥ||

English Meaning

All those works, which are generally taken in hand after duly deliberating over their propriety and impropriety, are generally spoiled by those emissaries who are proud of their learing.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)