Ahmad ibn Hanbal reported: Al-Hasan al-Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, heard some people arguing and he said, “By Allah! These are not but people who are bored with worship and they found speaking easier upon them than acting. Their piety diminished and thus they speak.”
Source: al-Zuhd li-Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal 1546
عن أحمد بن حنبل قال سمع الْحَسَنُ البصري رحمه الله قومًا يتجادلون فقال وَاللَّهِ مَا هَؤُلَاءِ إِلَّا قَوْمٌ مَلُّوا الْعِبَادَةَ وَوَجَدُوا الْكَلَامَ أَهْوَنَ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ وَقَلَّ وَرَعُهُمْ فَتَكَلَّمُوا
1/220 الزهد لأحمد بن حنبل أخبار الحسن بن أبي الحسن رحمه الله تعالى