Amongst all living creatures man is said to be the foremost. Among men, the twice-born, persons well read in the Vedas are the foremost.
सर्वेषामेव भूतानां पुरुषः श्रेष्ठ उच्यते। पुरुषेभ्यो द्विजानाहुर्द्विजेभ्यो मन्त्रदर्शिनः॥