Love and Righteousness: From Judaism’s The Talmud, Part 2 of 2

“Do not run after honor. Be not proud when rendering a decision: Consider that all of which thou are possessed today may not be thine tomorrow; and if thou are not certain, as to property already in thy possession, that it will remain with thee, what is the use of thy striving to possess what belongs to others? Remember what the Prophet says ‘Woe to him that increases what is not his! for how long? and to him that loads himself with a burden of guilt!’”

“Be a good merchant, pay well, and strive always to do good. Be afraid of a light sin, for this may bring you to a grave sin.”

“If thou has done much good to someone, consider it as very little; and thou must also not say that thou has done it from what belongs to thee, because there is One who has done that unto thee, and thou are obliged to thank Heaven for it. If, however, someone has done thee some good, consider it as if he has done much.”

“Justify the judgment that was imposed upon thee and free thyself from anger. Judge favorably thy neighbor, and see that thy verdict shall not make him guilty (if his guilt is not fully established).”

“Do not hate the one who reproves thee. Thy share will be blessed forever if thine eye will always be: good, and thy soul always satisfied.”

“Let it be thy habit to say, ‘I do not know’ (of a thing that thou are doubtful about), for thou may be caught lying. If thou neglect one command, thou will finally be negligent of other commandments. The same is if thou have overlooked the words of the law willingly: finally, thou will be overlooked, willingly or unwillingly. If thou have taken away others’ property, thine will be taken away.”

“The following fifteen customs are ascribed to the sages: He is pleasant in entering, and so also when leaving; is prudent in his fear for Heaven; versed in wisdom; wise in his ways, has a good conception, a retentive memory, is clear in his answers, questions to the point, and answers according to the law; he learns something new from every chapter taught to him; he is going to the wise; he learns for the purpose of teaching it and performing it. Be as the lower threshold, upon which all persons tread, and still it lasts even when the whole building is demolished.”