Muhammad al-Baqir

"The scholar whose knowledge is made use of and benefited from, is worthier and more virtuous than seventy thousand worshippers and adorers."

"Beware of sluggishness, annoyance and impatience, since they are the keys of all the evils. The person who commits sluggishness and slackness never at all discharges any rights (obligations); and the one who gets annoyed and restless, does never at all remain patient over the right (Gods decree on him)."

"Learn knowledge and science from him who teaches it, even if he doesnt practice what he preaches."

"Take the good speech from whoever said it even if his practice was not accordingly."

"There is no strength higher than overcoming carnal desire."

"The parable of a man greedy of this world is the parable of the silk worm: the more it winds the thread round itself the farther it becomes from salvation, until it dies of grief."

"Indeed, when a man earns wealth from a haraam (prohibited source) - neither Hajj, nor Umra, nor strengthening of his blood kinship, is ever at all accepted or approved. By God, Almighty."

"How beautiful it is when goodness succeeds badness; and how unappealing it is when evil succeeds goodness."

"There is no pain worse than ignorance and lack of intelligence."

"Opposition of ones desires is the sign of the highest level of wisdom in a human being."

"Knowledge and science is the fruit of paradise; in times of threat it is ones ally, in exile it keeps one company, and in solitude it is ones intimate friend and companion."

"By Allah no one is our Shi‘ah except that he has piety for God and obeys him They (the Shi‘ah) are not known and recognized except for their humility, modesty, fear of God, trustworthiness, plenty of remembrance of God, fasting, service, kindness to the parents, looking after the poor neighbours and afflicted people, mentioning them with nothing except goodness and beneficence; and they are the trustees for their tribes in all the affairs"