The Importance of Proper Conduct for the Student of Knowledge

Question : A questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, Ibn al-Mubarak (may Allah have mercy on him) said, "We are in need of a little of proper conduct, which is better than a lot of knowledge." I ask you to explain this statement in light of the current state of the young students of knowledge.

Answer : Yes. First, I do not know about this report attributed to Ibn al-Mubarak; is it authentic from him or not? Second, if this is authentic, then he (may Allah have mercy on him) means that knowledge is of no benefit if it is devoid of proper conduct, and that the scholar should possess the character traits that knowledge encourages, because even if he does not need them now, he will need them in the future. Many of the young people today who seek knowledge are found to have traits that are not befitting a student of knowledge. So, is his knowledge of benefit to him or not?
It has not benefited him. And you find others who have a great deal of dignity, modesty, respect for others, and repelling harm from them. We say that this is lacking, meaning that a student of knowledge, even if his knowledge is abundant, if he does not have proper conduct, his knowledge will not benefit him. And a little knowledge, if he has proper conduct, will be of benefit to him. Therefore, I urge you, O young men, to be diligent in applying the etiquettes you have learned, by what Allah has bestowed upon you. As for understanding the knowledge while your character and etiquettes are like the etiquettes of the ignorant people who know nothing, that is...