54. 1. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p): Acquire knowledge of religion and adorn it with forbearance and reverence. Be humble to those whom you give knowledge and also to those from whom you receive it. Do not enter the fold of harsh tempered scholars; otherwise your good deeds will be washed away by your evil acts.(B2, C5, T1)

55. 2. Commenting on the verse: …Verily, of the servants of God it is those who possess knowledge that fear Him… (Q,35:28) Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p) said: Those who possess knowledge means those whose actions verify their words; and those whose deeds do not corroborate their words are not among the learned ones.(B2, C5, T2)

56. 3. Imam Ali (p): Hearken! I will tell you about a religious scholar who is erudite in the real sense of the word. He does not make people despair of the Mercy of God and does not let them feel immune from the chastisement of God and does not allow them to commit sins and does not give up the recitation of the Noble Quran due to his temptation for something else. Beware! There is no virtue in knowledge that is devoid of understanding. Beware! There is no virtue in the recitation of the Noble Quran without pondering. Beware! There is no virtue in worship that is devoid of meditation.(B2, C5, T3)

57. 4. Imam Ali ar-Reza (p): Forbearance and Silence are among the signs of religious knowledge.
Translator’s note: In the tradition quoted above, silence means refraining from unnecessary gossip and superfluous talk.(B2, C5, T4)

58. 5. Imam Ali (p): The heart of a learned person is fortified against stupidity and inadvertence.
Translator’s note: The word ‘heart’ used here figuratively denotes ‘mind’ or ‘mental process’ or ‘reasoning faculty’. This figurative use of the word ‘heart’ is very common in the Arabic language.(B2, C5, T5)

59. 6. Prophet Isa (Jesus) (p) addressing his disciples: I have a desire which I want you to fulfill.
The Disciples: Take it as fulfilled (rest assured we are at your service).
Prophet Isa (p) got up and washed their feet.
The Disciples: O Spirit of God, we are more fit to serve you like this.
Prophet Isa (p): The fittest person to serve the people is the learned person. I have acted with humility like this so that after I am gone you may also behave humbly with people as I have behaved with you. Wisdom is nurtured by humility and not by conceit. Likewise, vegetation grows in ploughed and fertile lands and not on arid mountains.(B2, C5, T6)

60. 7. Imam Ali (p): O seeker of knowledge, there are three signs of a learned scholar: knowledge, forbearance and silence. Similarly, there are three signs in the one who just pretends to be a scholar: 1. wrangles with one superior to him wrongfully; 2. tries to prevail upon the one inferior to him; 3. becomes an accessory for the wrong-doers.(B2, C5, T7)