Hawzah News Agency – The commander of the faithful peace be upon him said to a man who asked him regarding a puzzling issue:

 سَلْ تَفَقُّهاً، ولا تَسْأل تَعَنُّتاً؛ فإنّ الجاهِلَ المُتَعَلِّمَ شَبيهٌ بالعالِمِ، وإنَّ العالِمَ المُتَعَسِّفَ (المُتَعَنِّفَ) شَبيهٌ بالجاهِلِ المُتَعَنِّتِ

'Ask in order to genuinely comprehend [the matter], and do not ask importunately causing further confusion thereby, for verily the ignorant person willing to learn is like a knowledgeable man, whereas the knowledgeable man who acts haphazardly is like an obstinate ignorant man.'

Source: Nahj al-Balagha, Saying ۳۲۰