What lesson was learned in the story

What lesson was learned in this story? Through out the story overall it had a really great meaning to it. You should really never choose anything other than your family because once they are gone they are gone for good. I guess when something you seem to really like controls you, you lose focus of how you are acting and how it's changing you. Kino let the pearls evil come over him and he knew it. If that was me I would want to get rid of the pearl right away before I got in anymore trouble, like Kino did with killing someone, he's the last person I would expect killing anyone even if it was for his self protection. The lesson I would say is to choose your path carefully.