Babylonian Talmud

Rodkinson 1918 — source 9, scan section 61

22 THE BABYLONIAN TALMUD. Do not run after honor. Be not proud when rendering a decision : Consider that all of which thou art possessed to-day may not be thine to-morrow ; and if thou art 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 [Habakkuk, ii. 6]: ** Woe to him that in- creaseth what is not his ! for how long ? and to him that loadeth himself with a burden of guilt ! " Let it be thy habit to finish everything in a good manner. Let thy tongue be always soft. 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. Respect all kind of men. Do not say, I will flatter this man, that he may give me food ; that man, to give me beverages ; that man, to cover me : for it is better that thou shouldst bear thine own shame than to be ashamed of others who will do so unto thee. Take care that thy teeth shall not shame thee, and thou shalt not be disgraced by thy mouth, and not cursed by thy tongue, and not put to shame by thy lips. Take care that thou shouldst not need to bow to some one on account of thine own words. If thou wishest to become attached to thy neighbor through bonds of love, always consider what good thou art able to do unto him. If it be thy wish to be kept away from sin, always look to the result of it. If thou art craving for merits, consider carefully their details. If thou hast done much good to some one, consider it as very little ; and thou must also not say that thou hast done it from what belongs to thee, because there is One who has done that unto thee, and thou art obliged to thank Heaven for it. If, however, some one has done thee some good, con- sider it as if he has done much. Do not say that Heaven has done good to me because of my good deeds ; on the contrary, be afraid that it was done unto thee because of thine unworthy deeds [Deut. vii. lo] : " And repayeth those that hate him to their face, to destroy them." If. TRACT DERECH ERETZ-ZUTA. 23 however, thou hast done any wrong, consider it much, and say: ''Woe is me that I have sinned," or, "Woe is me that I was the cause of the wrong." If others have done thee much wrong, it shall be considered in thine eyes as little, and say: ''This is only a part of the retribution that I deserve." CHAPTER III. Deliberate before a word passes thy lips, and be thoughtful how thou shouldst act in worldly affairs. See always that thy steps shall be rewarded. 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). Be content with thy share, and adorn thyself with the little thou dost possess. Do not hate the one who reproves thee. Thy share wilt 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 art doubtful about), for thou mayest be caught lying. If thou neglect one command, thou wilt finally be negligent of other commandments. The same is if thou hast overlooked the words of the Law willingly : finally thou wilt be overlooked, willingly or unwillingly. If thou hast taken away others' property, thine will be taken away. The commencement of making vows is the door to foolishness. Frivolity with women is the beginning of adultery. If thou hast guaranteed for some one, remem- ber that it must be paid by thyself. If thou hast borrowed money, know that thou hast borrowed it to be repaid in time. If thou hast loaned money to somebody, be pre- pared to have difficulty in collecting it. Remember the time thou hast to repay, and settle thy accounts. The following fifteen customs are ascribed to the sages: He is pleasant in entering, and so also when leaving; is 24 THE BABYLONIAN TALMUD. 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. CHAPTER IV. Scholars always are agreeable in society, but not so ordinary people. He who occupies himself only with study of the Scripture pursues the right course, yet the sages do not think so ; with Mishnayoth, it is a course to be re- warded ; but he who occupies himself with the study of the Talmud pursues a course than which there is no bet- ter. Still, it is advisable that one shall occupy himself with the study of Mishnayoth more than with that of the Tal- mud. Do not exact pay for thy teaching. Moreover, take no compensation whatever for It, for the Omnipo- tent has given His teaching to thee gratuitously; for the one who asks for reward destroys the whole world (be- cause there are many who cannot afford to pay and will remain ignorant). And do not say : '' I have no money to live on, and therefore I must take reward for my teaching." Remember all money is the Lord's, as it is written [Haggai, ii. 8] : " Mine is the silver, and mine is the gold, saith the Lord of hosts" (and He will supply you with money). If you have done charity, be sure that you will be favored with money ; and if it has been your good lot to acquire money, do charity with it so long as it is in your power. Give it to those who need it In this world, in order that you may get the world to come ; for if you do not use it for charitable purposes, it will disappear sud- TRACT DERECH ERETZ— ZUTA. 25 denly, as it is written [Prov. xxiil. 5] : " When thou let- test merely thy eyes fly over it, it is no more." Do not complain of your being less wise than another, for you have not served (the sages) as much as he did. Neither shall you complain that the other one is rich and you are not, for it is not every man who is favored with two tables (of this and of the world to come). Do not com- plain that another one is beautiful and you are ugly, for at the time of death a man becomes a carcass ; moreover, a carcass of any animal may be sold or presented to somebody, while no one cares even to look at a human carcass. Do not say : '* That man is righteous, while I am not " ; for both of you will have to account. Do not say : " That man is powerful, while I am weak " ; for there is no power aside from the Torah, as it is written [Ps. ciii. 20]: ''Bless the Lord, ye his angels, mighty in