if i seem to approve of peoples talk as those i meet approve of me then i have joined the extravagant separated from my brothers among the reformers and become one of the brothers of the devils. if i become like that then my earnings from the money of others have gone and others have begun to earn from me. if i were afflicted with one of them i would not stand up for him so how would it be if i were afflicted with giving and not taking? i seek refuge in god from being let down after that.
وإن بدا لي في استحسان حديث الناس، كما يستحسنه مني من أكون عنده، فقد شاركت المسرفين، وفارقت إخواني من المصلحين، وصرت من إخوان الشياطين. فإذا صرت كذلك، فقد ذهب كسبي من مال غيري، وصار غيري يكسب مني. وأنا لو ابتليت بأحدهما لم أقم له، فكيف إذا ابتليت بأن أعطي ولا آخذ. أعوذ بالله من الخذلان بعد