Gifts of Knowledge

ʿAmr ibn ʿUtbah said, “My father said to me, ‘My son, hold fast to modesty (ḥayāʾ) and you will become of its people, and do not part from it lest you become cut off from it. Do not let yourself be deceived by a person who has [himself] been deluded by Allaah’s forbearance with you [and thus] praises you for qualities that you know are not present in yourself. For indeed, he who speaks good of you without knowledge when he is pleased, will speak an equal amount of evil of you when he is displeased. Therefore, seek solace in being alone/solitude rather than in the company of the wicked, that you may be saved from the bitter consequences of their affairs.’”

Al-Ajwibah al-Balīghah, p. 20.