A gem, though precious, requires a gold setting

गुणैः सर्वज्ञतुल्योऽपि
सीदत्येको निराश्रयः ।
अनर्घ्यमपि माणिक्यम्
हेमाश्रयमपेक्षते ॥

- चाणक्यनीतिः

Even the one whose qualities are comparable to those of the all-knowing, struggles without patronage. A gem, though precious, requires a gold setting.