it is more common among the people of knowledge and is more prevalent among them and is more closely associated with them than with other kings and commoners. it is as if the one who has fallen short in the art of knowledge of its ultimate goal has sensed envy for every novelty of literature elegant speech or wonderful meaning that comes to him. rather it has occurred to him due to his weakness and has become established in his mind due to his baseness that none of them can attain leadership in an art nor is it possible for him to govern its people except by attacking.
وهو في أهل العلم أكثر، وعليهم أغلب، وبهم أشد لصوقا منه بغيرهم من الملوك والسوقة. وكأن من ناله التقصير في صناعة العلم عن غايته القصوى قد استشعر حسد كل ما يرد عليه من طريف أدب، أو أنيق كلام، أو بديع معنى. بل قد وقع بخلده لضعفه، وقر في روعه لخساسته، أنه لا ينال أحد منهم رياسة في صناعة، ولا يتهيأ له سياسة أهلها، إلا بالطعن