One whose knowledge is confined to books and whose wealth is in the possession of others, can use neither his knowledge nor wealth when the need for them arises.

The saying argues that resources are only as valuable as one’s ability to deploy them. Bookish knowledge that remains unassimilated—stored externally rather than internalized as skill or judgment—fails when urgent decisions must be made. Likewise, wealth that is controlled by others (or locked away beyond one’s reach) offers no security when circumstances demand immediate support. The deeper point is a pragmatic ethic: cultivate learning that becomes part of your mind and character, and arrange material resources so they are reliably available. It is also a warning against dependency—on texts without understanding, or on custodians and intermediaries who may not serve your interests when need arises.