In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful
Are the most knowledgeable those who speak the most?
By al-Haafidh ibn Rajab al-Hanbali al-Baghdaadi may Allah have mercy on him
The Imaam, who died 795 AH, collects in his tremendous book, “The superiority of knowledge of the Salaf over knowledge of the Khalaf” under the chapter “al-Jidaal wal Khisaam fil Masaail” this very important point of benefit. He says:
Indeed many people from the latter generations have been trialed with this. They think that those who have a lot of statements, arguments, and debates in affairs of the religion are more knowledgeable than those who do not indulge in it…and this is (from) clear ignorance.
Look to the more knowledgeable scholars from the companions like Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Ali, Muaadh, Ibn Mas’ood, Zayd bin Thaabit. Their statements were few compared to Ibn ‘Abbas, however, they were more knowledgeable than him.
And the same was for the Tabi’ Tab’ieen. Their statements were more than the statements of the Tab’ieen, but the Tab’ieen were more knowledgeable than them.
Hence, knowledge is not by narrating much or (having) abundant writings. Rather knowledge is a light that resonates within the heart, and it allows the slave to understand the truth and distinguish between it and falsehood.
(To further this point) the Prophet, peace be upon him, was given Jawaami’ al-Kalim (ability to say comprehensive statements with few words) and was concise in his speech.
Translated by: Abu Awzaa’ee AbdusSalaam
الفقير الى الله
Trying to Follow the Salaf 
هذا يقول العلامة ابن رجب رحمه الله في رسالته ((فضل علم السلف على علم الخلف)) يقول: السلف كلامهم قليل وعلمهم غزير، والخلف كلامهم كثير وعلمهم قليل.
This is a saying of Alamah ibn Rajab rahimallah in his Resilah (message) ” the “preference of knowledge of the Salaf over the knowledge of the Kalaf”. Shaykh Salih al Fawzan hafidu allah explained: it is said the Salaf their speech was little and their knowledge was plentiful and the Kalaf their speech is much and their knowledge is little
From bayaan of the Shaykh ” Minhaj of the Salaf Salih is The Ummah in need of it”