Stages To Knowledge

There are six stages to knowledge:

Firstly: Asking questions in a good manner.
Secondly: Remaining quiet and listening attentively.
Thirdly: Understanding well.
Fourthly: Memorizing.
Fifthly: Teaching.
Sixthly: and it is its fruit - Acting upon the knowledge and keeping to its limits.

... ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah