Sufyān also said, “We know of nothing finer than seeking knowledge with a sincere intention.”

Al-Khuraybī narrated from him: “Beware of incurring Allah’s wrath in three situations: beware of falling short in what He has commanded you; beware lest He see you displeased with what He has allotted you; and beware that, if you pursue some worldly gain and fail to obtain it, you then become resentful toward your Lord.”

Khālid ibn Nizār al-Aylī reported that Sufyān said, “Zuhd (asceticism) is of two kinds: obligatory and supererogatory. The obligatory zuhd is to abandon self-glory, arrogance, self-exaltation, ostentation, the desire for reputation, and adorning oneself for people’s eyes. The supererogatory zuhd is to give up some of the lawful things Allah has granted you; yet once you forgo any of them, it becomes obligatory that your renunciation be solely for Allah’s sake.”

It is said that ʿAbd al-Ṣamad, the uncle of the caliph al-Manṣūr, entered to visit Sufyān during an illness. Sufyān turned his face to the wall and did not return the greeting. ʿAbd al-Ṣamad remarked, “O Saif, I think Abū ʿAbd Allāh is asleep.” Saif replied, “I suppose so—may Allah set you right.” Sufyān interjected, “Do not lie; I am not asleep.” ʿAbd al-Ṣamad asked, “O Abū ʿAbd Allāh, is there anything you need?” He answered, “Yes—three things: do not visit me again, do not attend my funeral, and do not invoke mercy for me.” ʿAbd al-Ṣamad felt ashamed and rose to leave; once outside he said, “By Allah, I almost decided not to leave without taking his head with me.”

Yūsuf ibn Asbāṭ related that Sufyān said, “Beautify knowledge and hadith by means of your own conduct; do not use them as adornments for yourselves.”

Muḥammad ibn Saʿd narrated: “When Sufyān was being sought, he fled to Mecca. The caliph al-Mahdī sent instructions to Muḥammad ibn Ibrāhīm—the governor of Mecca—to apprehend him. Informed of this, Sufyān heard Muḥammad say to him, ‘If you wish to present yourself to the authorities, then appear so I can send you to them; otherwise, hide yourself.’ Sufyān chose concealment. Muḥammad searched for him and ordered a crier to proclaim in Mecca, ‘Whoever brings Sufyān will receive such-and-such a reward.’ Thus Sufyān remained in hiding there, showing himself only to scholars and to those he did not fear.”