I could write so much about this. It's amazing overall. Like all men, some of ibn Jawzi's رحمه الله words may be faulted but much is wondrous and wise and beneficial. There is no doubt in the seniority of ibn Jawzi in this religion in the ranks of the 'ulama. One who is remembered more than most and lives on through his works (something he advises scholars to do in this book, to write more).
Honestly, I wish I read this when I was coming of age. Some of this has shown me how wrong I have been in some of my attitudes towards life.
It very much promotes a proactive lifestyle, one which is dependent solely on Allah. Ibn Jawzi says scholars and students of this deen (and also the rest of us) should be self-sufficient. We should not attempt to deprive ourselves of comforts we've gotten used to, if we have the ability not to do that, because he believes it causes weakness in the body and mind that deters us from worship, seeking knowledge, and working. But with all things there must be no excessiveness, he prompts us to strive to be perfectly balanced in life, as all things should be. He criticised those who went and go too far in asceticism and left the way of Muhammad ﷺ and the sahaba رضي الله عنهم as well, as that is the pure balance we seek in our lives.
I could write this much or more about every single part of this book that I had taken a screenshot of (at least 100) but I'll stop now.