Good conduct.

Habeeb al-Jallab said:

“I asked Ibn al-Mubarak, ‘What is the best gift that was given to mankind?’ He said, ‘A wise mind.’ I said, ‘If one did not have that?’ He said, ‘Good conduct.’ I said, ‘And if one did not have that?’ He said,‘An advising friend whom he seeks his council.’ I asked, ‘If one did not have that?’ He said, ‘Long periods of silence.’ I asked, ‘If one did not have even that?’ He said, ‘Then a swift death!’”

[As-Siyar, vol. 8, p. 397]