We call them the three poisons of the mind - greed, hatred and delusion. In Buddhism, that kind of knowledge is very simple and elementary. To study is a kind of concentration. Through concentration, we gain a pure mind. A pure mind produces wisdom.
Wisdom is like a sword.
We use the sword to cut the vicious mind. The Buddhist way of life always demands a continuing process of purifying bodily karma, mental karma, and willable karma. Some people might complain that it is too late. Yet, to be effective, practice must be persistent - like a hen sitting on her eggs. After you weed out the three poisons of the mind, there is tranquility.