पञ्चतंत्र - कथामुख - क्षीरमिवांबुमध्यात्

अनंतपारं किल शब्दशास्त्रं
    स्वल्पं तथायुर्बहवश्च विघ्नाः ।
सारं ततो ग्राह्यमपास्य फल्गु
    हंसैर्यथा क्षीरमिवांबुमध्यात् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, कथामुख

The vastness of knowledge (written in scriptures) is huge. This life is short and filled with obstacles. Hence it is not possible to read them all. One must attempt to understand the scriptures with most value first and abandon the rest much like how a swan filters milk from water.

- Panchatantra, Kathamukha