Abū Muʿāwiyah narrated to us; Hishām ibn ʿUrwah narrated to us from his father, who said: It is written in the Book of Wisdom: “My son, let your words be pleasant and your face radiant, and you will be dearer to people than one who lavishes them with gifts.” He also said: It is written in the Book of Wisdom—or in the Torah—that gentleness is the pinnacle of wisdom. Likewise, it is written in the Torah: “Show mercy and you will be shown mercy.” And it is written in the Book of Wisdom: “As you sow, so shall you reap.” And it is written in the Book of Wisdom: “Love your friend, and love your father’s friend.”

ʿAbd al-Razzaq narrated to us, from Maʿmar, from Ayyūb, from Abū Qilābah, who said: It was said to Luqman, “Which people are the most patient?” He replied, “Patience that is followed by no harm.” It was asked, “Which people are the most knowledgeable?” He answered, “The one who adds the knowledge of others to his own.” It was asked, “Which people are the best?” He said, “The wealthy.” It was said, “Wealthy in possessions?” He replied, “No; the truly wealthy is the one who, when good is sought from him, provides it, and when he cannot, frees himself—and others—from need.”

Sufyān—meaning Ibn ʿUyaynah—narrated to us: It was said to Luqman, “Which people are the worst?” He answered, “The one who does not care if others see him doing wrong.”

Abū ʿAbd al-Ṣamad narrated to us, from Mālik ibn Dīnār, who said: I found in some writings of wisdom: “May Allah scatter the bones of those who speak according to people’s whims.” I also found therein: “There is no benefit for you in teaching what you yourself do not know, nor in failing to act upon what you do know; such a person is like a man who gathers firewood, ties it into a bundle, then tries to carry it but cannot, so he adds another bundle to it.”

ʿAbd Allah ibn Ahmad said: Al-Ḥakam ibn Abī Zuhayr—who is Al-Ḥakam ibn Mūsā—narrated to us; Al-Faraj ibn Faḍālah narrated, from Abū Saʿīd, who said: Luqman said to his son, “My son, let none but the God-fearing eat your food, and consult scholars concerning your affairs.”

This is the sum of what Imām Ahmad has recorded in this section. We have already cited many reports that he did not include, just as he has mentioned things that are not in our possession. Allah knows best.