This anecdote is narrated by Allamah(RA)’s Daughter, Sister Najma As-Sadat Tabatabai(HA)

One of the outstanding characteristics of my father was his close relationship with his students – especially Agha-ye-Mutahhari(RA).  He himself used to say:

“Every time I sit with my friends, it is as if the entire world lights up in my view.  Truly I take pleasure (from their company).”

Allamah(RA) used to speak very little, and he also used to advise others to speak less. He regarded speaking a lot as a sign of a weak intellect. He talked very simply and in such a manner that sometimes people used to believe he was an ordinary individual, and not a scholar and a philosopher. 

Taken from: “Stories from the life of Allamah Tabatabai(RA) by Ahmad Luqmani, Allamah Tabatabai, “Meezan-e-Marefat”, translated by S.K. Yusufali, Qum, Iran, 2006