as for knowledge it is more vast than can be encompassed. whoever seeks it for its honor and pride it has no limit or end. the more he seeks it the more he will desire it. whoever seeks from it an amount sufficient for his needs and wants a little of it will suffice him. however he cannot due to the abundance of his knowledge see in it wealth and pride as well. he may become bored as everything else becomes bored. the eye also becomes bored with it and with money.
وأما العلم فإنه أوسع من أن يحاط به، فمن طلبه لشرفه وفخره فإنه لا حد له ولا نهاية، ولم يزدد له طلنا إلا ازداد فيه رغبة. ومن طلب منه مقدار كفايته وحاجته كفاه منه اليسير. على أنه لا يملك من كثر علمه أن يرى فيه الغنى والكبرياء أيضا. وقد يمل كما يمل كل شيء. وتمل العين أيضا منه ومن المال.