Without putting the teachings of holy books into practice and experiencing the spiritual truths they mention, merely reading and reciting them is of no use. A learned man, with book knowledge but no practice or personal experience, is like a blind man with a mirror, for he cannot see what the mirror reflects. Without experience the scholar is like the spoon that stirs delicious food but is ignorant of its taste. Kabir points out that a man may read all the scriptures and explore even the skies in his quest for the ultimate truth, but he will not be able to obtain it. It is through spiritual practice that he can acquire Shabd, which alone will give him spiritual experience and true knowledge and rid him of ego, the barrier between himself and the Lord.

Without true knowledge
What worth are holy books?
They are the mirror of the blind.
Howsoever delicious the food,
What does the spoon know of its taste?
The donkey may be laden
With the finest sandalwood,
But the ignorant beast knows nothing
Of the sweet fragrance of its load.
Says Kabir: O man,
You have explored even the skies,
But you could not obtain that
Which alone can rid you
Of the affliction of your ego.

Bijak, Ramaini 32
Andh so darpan bed purānā