2. Ben Asai said, “run to the performance of a slight precept as though it were a grave one, and flee from transgression, for the performance of a precept causes another precept, and transgression causes transgression, as the reward of a commandment is a commandment, and the reward of transgression is transgression.”
3. He used to say, “despise not all men, nor oppose all things, for there is no man who has not his hour, neither is there anything that has not its place.”
4. Rabbi Levitas of Jabneh said, “be very humble of spirit, as all the hope of man is to be food for worms.” Rabbi Johanan, son of Beroka, said, “whosoever profanes God’s name in secret will be punished publicly, whether it be done ignorantly or presumptuously, it is all one in the profanation of God’s name.”
5. Rabbi Ishmael, his son, said, “he who learns that he may be able to teach others, will be enabled to study and to teach others; but he who studies in order to perform the precepts, will be enabled to study, teach, observe, and do the commandments.” Rabbi Zadok said, “make not the study of the law subservient to thy aggrandizement, neither make a hatchet thereof to hew therewith.” And thus said Hillel, “whosoever receiveth any emolument from the words of the law deprives himself of life.”
6. Rabbi José said, “he who honors the law, his person shall be honored by mankind; and he who profanes the law, his person shall be dishonored by mankind.”
7. Rabbi Ishmael, his son, said, “he who avoids being a judge, delivers himself from enmity, robbery, and false swearing; but he who is arrogant in judging, is a proud wicked fool.”
8. He used to say, “judge not alone, for none ought to judge alone save ONE; neither say, receive ye my opinion, for they are at liberty to accept it, but thou canst not compel them.”
9. Rabbi Jonathan said, “whosoever performs the law in poverty, shall in the end perform it in riches; but he who neglects the law for riches, will in the end neglect it for poverty.”
10. Rabbi Meier said, “diminish your worldly affairs and engage in the study of the law, and be humble in spirit before all men; and if thou neglect the law, there are many hinderances to oppose thee, but if thou hast labored in the study of the law, there is much reward to be given thee.”