[Machine] I heard Sha'abi saying that the seeking of this knowledge was only for those who possess two qualities: intellect and devotion. If someone is devoted but lacks intellect, he would say, "This is a matter that only the wise pursue," and he would not seek it. And if someone is intelligent but lacks devotion, he would say, "This is a matter that only the devout pursue," and he would not seek it. Then Sha'abi said, "I was afraid that today someone who possesses neither of these qualities would seek it."  

سَمِعْتُ الشَّعْبِيَّ يَقُولُ إِنَّمَا كَانَ يَطْلُبُ هَذَا الْعِلْمَ مَنِ اجْتَمَعَتْ فِيهِ خَصْلَتَانِ الْعَقْلُ وَالنُّسُكُ فَإِنْ كَانَ نَاسِكًا وَلَمْ يَكُنْ عَاقِلًا قَالَ هَذَا أَمْرٌ لَا يَنَالُهُ إِلَّا الْعُقَلَاءُ فَلَمْ يَطْلُبْهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ عَاقِلًا وَلَمْ يَكُنْ نَاسِكًا قَالَ هَذَا أَمْرٌ لَا يَنَالُهُ إِلَّا النُّسَّاكُ فَلَمْ يَطْلُبْهُ فَقَالَ الشَّعْبِيُّ وَلَقَدْ رَهِبْتُ أَنْ يَكُونَ يَطْلُبُهُ الْيَوْمَ مَنْ لَيْسَتْ فِيهِ وَاحِدَةٌ مِنْهُمَا لَا عَقْلٌ وَلَا نُسُكٌ