ash-Shaafi'ee said:

((Knowledge is that which benefits, not that which is memorised))

Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa. - Volume 10, Page 89

Ref: Fatwa-Online

al-Imaam Yoosuf ibn Abdil-Barr said:

"The first step towards (seeking) knowledge is the (sincerity of) intention, then it is.."

Ref: The first step towards seeking knowledge is sincerity of intention