Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee (rahima-hullaah) said:

((The Sunnahs of the Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) reach, as well as escape from every one of us. So whenever I voice my opinion, or formulate a principle, where something contrary to my view exists on the authority of the Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam), then the correct view is what the Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) has said, and it (that) is my view)).

Related by Haakim with a continuous sanad up to Shaafi'i, as in Taareekh Damishq of Ibn 'Asaakir (15/1/3), I'laam al-Muwaqqi'een (2/363, 364) & Eeqaaz (p. 100)

Ref: Fatwa-Online

al-‘Allaamah Muhammad ibn al-Wazeer al-Yamaanee said:

"Severity while sticking to the truth and advice is more beloved to him than flattery with vile statements. And your friend is the one who tells you the truth, not the one who tells you that you are telling the truth."

Ref: Do not Forsake the Truth Fearing the Created