From the jewels of the salaf

It is reported that Abû Hâzim Al-Ashja’î – Allâh have mercy on him – said:
If you find yourself in a time when speech is accepted as knowledge and knowledge is accepted as deeds [instead of putting it into practice], then you are in the worst time and with the worst people.
Abû Bakr Al-Daynûrî, Al-Mujâlasah wa Jawâhir Al-’Ilm` 4:338