Those who have virtue(德行) but no talent might work uselessly. Those who have talent but no virtue might not use their talent properly. Those who have both talent and virtue were called xiancai in ancient times. If you ask which one is more important between the two, it must be virtue. Only if a person has virtue can he or she get on the right road.
There is a story in the book History as a Mirror《资治通鉴》by Chinese historian Sima Guang. Zhi Xuanzi was the head of a big clan(家族) in the State of Jin during the Spring and Autumn Period(770-476BC). He wanted a clan member, Zhi Yao, to be the next leader of the clan.
However, another man in the clan, Zhi Guo, was against the idea. Because he knew Zhi Yao was not kind and a little rude. One day, Zhi Guo listed some strong points of Zhi Yao. For example, he was good at riding and shooting. Also he was creative and talkative. But Zhi Guo said that he had a big problem: his virtue. He had an unkind heart.
Zhi Guo thought Zhi Xuanzi could accept his advice. However, Zhi Xuanzi didn't listen to the idea. Zhi Xuanzi still made Zhi Yao became the head of the clan. With his leadership abilities, he quickly made his clan the strongest in Jin. But after a long period, because of his aggressive(咄咄逼人的) style and his unkind action, more and more people dislike him. Meanwhile, three other clans worked together to fight against the Zhi clan. Finally, the Zhi clan was beaten.
Sima Guang used this story to stress the importance of virtue. Talent is not enough. He said that excellent people must have both talent and virtue.