iti.40 Itivuttaka

Knowledge

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Mendicants, ignorance precedes the attainment of unskillful qualities, with lack of conscience and prudence following along.
Knowledge precedes the attainment of skillful qualities, with conscience and prudence following along.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“Bad destinies of whatever kind,
in this world or the next,
are all rooted in ignorance,
compounded of greed and desire.
Since one of wicked desires is
unconscientious, lacking regard for others,
they make much bad karma,
which sends them to a place of loss.
Therefore, dispelling desire
and greed and ignorance,
a mendicant arousing knowledge
would cast off all bad destinies.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.