Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee (d. 463H) cites an isnaad going back to ‘Ubaidah ibn Ziyaad who said, (in some lines of poetry):

“The Religion of the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is narrations,
And what a blessed means to an end the Aathaar are for a youth.
So do not forsake the hadeeth nor its people,
Because opinion is (like) night and hadeeth is (like) day.
And perchance a youth may err upon the Path of Guidance,
But the Sun is rising in splendour and has much light.”

Source: The Status of the People of Hadeeth (the Ahlul-Hadeeth) – Their Feats and Praiseworthy Effects in the Religion, by the Allaamah & Muhaddith Shaikh Rabee’ ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee, Translated by Abu Hakeem Bilal Davis, Salafi Publications, p. 58.