Imaam Dhahabi (rahimahullah) said:
“It is obligatory upon the scholar to speak with (sincere) intention and a good aim. If his speech amazes him, he should keep quiet; and if keeping quiet amazes him, he should speak. He should not slacken in examining his soul, because it loves fame and praise” [Siyar A’laam Nubulaa 4/494]
Imaam Ahmad (rahimahullaah) said:
‘’Indeed, a person of rhetoric will never be successful. And you will not see anyone looking into rhetoric except that there is corruption in his heart’’
[Jaami Bayaan Al-Ilm Wa Fadlihi 2/194]
Mahmood Al-Warraaq (rahimahullaah) said:
”The most perfect amongst the people is the one who is more knowledgeable about his shortcomings and suppresses his desires and covetousness the most.” [Jaami Bayaan Al-Ilm Wa Fadlihi 1/259]
Abu khaythama narrated to us, (saying): Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn Mahdee narrated to us, (saying): Moosaa Ibn Ulayya narrated to us from his father who said: “Whenever a man asked Yazeed Ibn Thaabit about something, he said: “Is this for Allaah’s sake?” If he (the questioner) said: “yes”, he (Yazeed) would speak; and if not he would not speak.
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[Source: kitaabul ilm of Abu khaythama with the checking of Imaam Al – Albaanee. Page: 20. Narration 75]
Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said:
”The heart does not cease being put to trial until the slave makes all his religion for Allaah.” [Al-Fataawaa: 10/545]
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:
”The scent of truthfulness cannot be smelled by a person who flatters himself or others.” [Al-Fawaa-id: 185]
Abdur-Rahmaan bin Abee Layla (rahimahullaah) said: I have met a hundred and twenty companions of the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) in this Masjid and not a single one of them would be asked about a hadeeth, except he wished that his brother would suffice him in (answering). Then the affair came under the commission of a people, who claimed knowledge at present,–they give answers in affairs which if presented to Umar Ibnul Khattaab (radiyallaahu-anhu), he would have gathered the (Sahaabah of) Badr to consult them. [Sharhus Sunnah of Imaam Al-Baghawee: 1/305]
Sufyaan Ath-Thawree (rahimahullaah) said: ”Whoever loves that he should be asked, then he is not worthy of being asked.”
[Siyar A’laam Nubulaa: 8/469]
Hasan Al-Basri (rahimahullaah) said: I met a people and each one of them was more miserly with the (passing away) of his live span than his dirham. [Sharhus Sunnah: 14/225]
It was said to one of the wise people of the early days: ”what are the things a scholar must seek to acquire?” He said: ”The things that when the ship sinks, he swims along with it, meaning: knowledge” [Jaami Bayaan Al-Ilm:1/120]