(1) He said, “The most valuable treasure is taqwā (piety), and the most ruinous is aggression.” (1)
(2) He said, “Avoiding sin and steering clear of whatever does not concern you enlightens the heart. Keep to moments of seclusion and eat sparingly. Beware the company of fools and of anyone who will not treat you fairly. If you speak about matters that do not concern you, the word will gain power over you and you will not have power over it.” (2)
(3) He said, “If someone were to bequeath something to ‘the most intelligent people,’ it would rightfully go to the ascetics.” (3)
(4) He said, “Managing people is harder than managing livestock.” (4)
(5) He said, “The truly intelligent person is the one whose intellect restrains him from every blameworthy deed.” (5)
(6) He said, “Murūʾah (noble virtue) rests on four pillars: good character, generosity, humility, and devoted worship.” (6)
(7) He said, “A man is not complete unless he possesses four qualities: religious devotion, trustworthiness, self-restraint, and dignified composure.” (7)
(8) He said, “Anyone you must constantly placate is not your brother.” (8)
(1) Abu Nuaym al-Isfahani, Hilyat al-Awliya, vol. 9, p. 123; al-Bayhaqi, Manaqib al-Imam al-Shafi‘i, vol. 2, p. 171.
(2) See al-Bayhaqi, Manaqib al-Imam al-Shafi‘i, vol. 2, p. 172; al-Razi, Manaqib, p. 124; al-Nawawi, Tahdhib al-Asma wa-l-Lughat, vol. 1, p. 55.
(3) See al-Bayhaqi, Manaqib al-Imam al-Shafi‘i, vol. 2, pp. 183–184; al-Nawawi, Tahdhib al-Asma wa-l-Lughat, vol. 1, p. 55.
(4) Adab al-Shafi‘i, p. 271; al-Bayhaqi, Manaqib al-Imam al-Shafi‘i, vol. 2, p. 187; al-Razi, Manaqib, p. 122; al-Nawawi, Tahdhib al-Asma wa-l-Lughat, vol. 1, p. 55; Ibn Hajar, Tawali al-Ta’sis, p. 72.
(5) Al-Bayhaqi, Manaqib al-Imam al-Shafi‘i, vol. 2, p. 187; al-Razi, Manaqib, p. 122; al-Nawawi, Tahdhib al-Asma wa-l-Lughat, vol. 1, p. 55.
(6) Al-Bayhaqi, Manaqib al-Imam al-Shafi‘i, vol. 2, p. 188; al-Razi, Manaqib, p. 122; al-Nawawi, Tahdhib al-Asma wa-l-Lughat, vol. 1, p. 55.
(7) Al-Bayhaqi, Manaqib al-Imam al-Shafi‘i, vol. 2, p. 189; al-Razi, Manaqib, p. 122; al-Nawawi, Tahdhib al-Asma wa-l-Lughat, vol. 1, p. 55.
(8) Al-Bayhaqi, Manaqib al-Imam al-Shafi‘i, vol. 2, p. 194; al-Razi, Manaqib, p. 122; al-Nawawi, Tahdhib al-Asma wa-l-Lughat, vol. 1, p. 55.