To think of helping the world without knowing yourself is very much like a blind person going out to give eye treatment to people at large

 (from "Nectar Drops - Diary of Annamalai Swami"):

On April 2nd, 1939, two Congress workers asked Sri Bhagavan, “After attaining Jnana with your grace, can we teach the world?” 

Sri Bhagavan: Leave aside the idea of teaching the world. First, know yourself. Then, if at all there is a world or there are people, you may teach. To think of helping the world without knowing yourself is very much like a blind person going out to give eye treatment to people at large. First, clean your eyes. Then, if you can perceive all the eyes of others truly as your own eye, can you remain without helping others? 

Workers: Why are we not able to attain Jnana, however long we try to hold on to what is mentioned in the Vedanta Shastras (scriptures) as Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman)? 

Sri Bhagavan: There is no Atma Jnanam in Vedanta Shastra. If one studies oneself, then there is Atma Jnanam.

Workers: How to study ourselves? 

Sri Bhagavan: Only if the Self is dual, we can study it, is it not? 

The Self, abiding as the Self, is indeed Self-knowledge. 

Without knowing oneself, by studying the Veda Shastras, one can get all the respect one wants from the world. Society will garland this person, recite words of appreciation for him, he will obtain food, name, fame, and money. That is all. But all these are huge obstacles for Jnana and sadhana. 

Workers: Howsoever we try, alas! The sorrow of samsara never ends at all! 

Sri Bhagavan: If one inquires as to who is affected by this sorrow of samsara, then the sorrow will end. 

Workers: It is said that Atma can be attained through Patanjali’s Yoga. Is that so? 

Sri Bhagavan: Yogam (Union) means there are two entities, and they unite. Will you accept that there are two selves? 

Workers: No.

Sri Bhagavan: You are Atma. Only if there is something apart from you, something other than you, can you either help or hinder it. If all that exists is only you, then where is the question of liking or disliking?  Desirelessness is the greatest bliss. 

Workers: Again, we are asking you due to our ignorance, O Bhagavan! Please  forgive us and we request you to answer. It is advised that one should do Abhyasa (practice, sadhana) to end the mind. How is that? 

Sri Bhagavan: Who is the one who wants to end the mind? Observing that is the way to end the mind. 

Worker: Who am I? Alas! I do not know! 

Sri Bhagavan: Without knowing who I am, we want to attain something else. We are “That” indeed. Without That, no matter what new divine world or position comes to you, it will vanish at some point. We are not that which comes and goes. That which is always experienced by all, That alone we are. That is moksha (liberation). 

Worker: How does the Guru help the disciple? 

Sri Bhagavan: Guru and God can only point out “You are That.” They cannot do anything else. To follow that path is the work of the disciple (Sri Bhagavan became silent). The workers prostrated and left.