मनुस्मृति - ब्रह्मवेदिनः

30/10

भूतानां प्राणिनः श्रेष्ठाः प्राणिनां बुद्धिजीवनः
    बुद्धिमत्सु नराः श्रेष्ठा नराणां सात्त्विकाः स्मृताः |
सात्त्विकेषु च विद्वांसः विद्वत्सु कृतबुद्धयः
    कृतबुद्धिषु कर्तारः कर्तृषु ब्रह्मवेदिनः ||

- मनुस्मृति - श्रेष्ठः

In this world of beings, the animals are better than other (plants, microbes etc..). Among the animals, those who think are better. Man is the best among those animals that can think. Among all men, those who follow honest (and other virtues) are the best. Among honest people, those who are knowledgeable are better. Among those who have knowledge, only those who practice are better than the rest. Among such people, the do-er is the best. It is no use just talking about knowledge. Among all the do-ers, the person who has the realization of the oneness in the universe is the best.

- Manu Smriti