It is reported that Imâm Abû Dâwûd Al-Sijistânî – Allah have mercy on him – said:
Ahmad b. Hanbal never used to involve himself in the things of this world that people involved themselves in; but when knowledge was mentioned, he would speak.
Ibn Al-Jawzî Sifatu Al-Safwah 2:519.
It is reported that Al-Husayn b. Muhammad said:
Muhammad b. Ismâ'îl Al-Bukhârî was distinguished with three qualities – in addition to the rest of his praseworthy traits: He never spoke much, he never yearned for what people had. He would never occupy himself with other people’s affairs; all his attention was towards knowledge.
Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ' 12:449