The Buddha explains the urgency of understanding the Four Noble Truths to end suffering with a simile of extinguishing a fire on one's clothes or head.
Cela sutta - Clothes
"Bhikkhus, if one's clothes or head were burning, what should be done?
"Venerable sir, if one's clothes or head were burning, then should arouse the utmost intention, make an extraordinary effort, stir up perseverance, enthusiasm, tireless determination, and apply mindfulness and full awareness should be applied to extinguish the burning of one's clothes or head."
Bhikkhus, even though one's clothes or head were burning, one might look on equanimously, paying no attention to it. But as long as one has not made the breakthrough to the Four Noble Truths as they really are, then in order to make the breakthrough, one should arouse the utmost intention, make an extraordinary effort, stir up perseverance, enthusiasm, tireless determination, and apply mindfulness and full awareness.
And what are these four? The Noble Truth of suffering, the Noble Truth of the arising of suffering, the Noble Truth of the ending of suffering, the Noble Truth of the way of practice leading to the ending of suffering.
Therefore, bhikkhus, effort should be made to fully understand: 'This is suffering'; effort should be made to fully understand: 'This is the arising of suffering'; effort should be made to fully understand: 'This is the ending of suffering'; effort should be made to fully understand: 'This is the way of practice leading to the ending of suffering.'"