The Attributes of a Man of Intellect

Imam Ali (AS) was asked to describe a man of intellect, to which he replied, ‘He is the one who puts things in their place. The he was asked, ‘So describe to us the ignorant man, to which he replied, ‘I have already done so.

Imam al-Kazim (AS) said, ‘Verily the man of intellect contents himself with less worldly things when accompanied with wisdom, and does not content himself with less wisdom and more worldly things, and this is why their trade [of the transient for the permanent] profits them.