Jewish Texts

"Better to spend your money on a brother or friend than to let it rust under a stone, to your discredit."

"Use your money according to the commandments of the Most High and you will find it more valuable than gold. Fill your barns with good deeds and these will rescue you from misfortune. They will fight for you against your enemy better than any strong shield and mighty spear."

"Some things you cannot live without: water, bread, clothes and a house for shelter. Better a poor man’s life in his wooden shack than lavish banquets in another man’s house. Be content with whatever you have, be it great or small; this is better than to go elsewhere and be reproached as an outsider."

"The man who loves his son makes use of the rod; later on he will be proud of him. The man who corrects his son will reap the benefit and be proud of him among his acquaintances. By instructing his son he makes his enemy envious; he will be well pleased with him in the company of his friends. If such a father dies it is as if he had not died, for he leaves behind him another man like himself. In life he had the joy of his company and he is not sorrowful when death comes. He leaves it to his family to take revenge on his enemies and to return gifts to his friends."

"The man who coddles his son will be constantly bandaging his wounds; at his every cry he will be troubled. Just as a badly broken-in horse cannot be mounted, so a spoiled son becomes insolent. Pamper your child and later he will terrify you; play with him and he will bring you sorrow. Do not laugh at him lest you have to suffer and grind your teeth. Do not let him be independent as a child, but rather bruise his ribs while he is still young, lest he grow stubborn and refuse to obey. Be strict with your son and persevere in this, so as not to suffer because of his misconduct."

"Better a poor man healthy and fit, than a rich man tormented in body. Health and vigor are worth more than gold, a robust body, more than great wealth. No riches are preferable to physical wellbeing, and no joy is greater than a cheerful heart."

"Jealousy and anger shorten your life; worry makes you old before the time."

"He who loves gold cannot be righteous; whoever runs after gain will be led astray. Many have been ruined because of gold; disgrace went to meet them. Gold is a snare for those who are possessed by love of it. The senseless will be caught in it."

"Happy is the rich man who has not sinned in this way and has not gone after gold! Who is he? Let us say: Fortunate man! For he has given a wonderful example. Who has been tested in this and found perfect? He has reason to be proud. Who could have sinned but resisted, who could have done wrong and did not do it? His fortune is firmly established and the assembly will acknowledge his generosity."

"Are you seated at a lavish banquet? Don’t be over-ready to eat and don’t say, “What a feast!” Remember that a greedy eye is an evil thing. What is worse than such an eye? That is why it was condemned to weep. Do not stretch out your hand to everything you see or be quick in reaching for a dish. Judge the needs of your fellow guest by your own and in all things act prudently. Eat what is set before you like an educated person and don’t be a glutton, lest you be detested. Like a well-mannered man, be the first to stop; don’t be voracious if you are to avoid difficulties. If important people are present, do not be the first to serve yourself. A little is sufficient for a well-bred person; your breathing moreover will be easier when you go to bed. Healthy sleeping is for the moderate eater. He rises early and feels fit! Sleeplessness and stomach trouble attend the overindulgent. If you are obliged to eat too much, go off and vomit and you will be at ease. Listen to me, my friend, and do not neglect what I say; in the end you will see the truth of it. Be moderate in all that you do and you will be without illness."

"Do not try to show how much wine you can take, for wine has been the ruin of many. As the furnace tests the temper of steel, so wine proves hearts and makes proud men quarrel. Wine is life for man if taken in moderation. What is life without wine? Wine makes for a glad heart and a cheerful mind, if taken moderately and at the right time. But if taken to excess it brings bitterness of soul, excitement and a fumbling step. Drunkenness inflames the anger of a stupid person to the point of scandal. It reduces his strength and brings him blows. Do not reproach a neighbor during a wine feast, and don’t look down on him when he is merry; do not speak harshly to him or annoy him by asking him to settle a debt."

"Whoever fears the Lord will accept his correction, and those who rise at dawn will win his favor. The man who follows his Law will be nourished by it, but the hypocrite will find it a stumbling block. Those who fear the Lord will please him and their good deeds will shine as a light."

"The sinner refuses correction and excuses himself for doing what he wants."

"A person of judgment reflects beforehand; the stubborn and proud man goes ahead without worrying about anything. Never act without first reflecting, and you will have no regrets."

"Be careful in whatever you do. In so doing you keep the commandments. Those who trust in the Law will keep the commandments and those who obey the Lord will come to no harm."

"Evil will not go to meet the one who fears the Lord; if he is in danger he will be rescued. The wise man never departs from the Law; he who only pretends to keep it is like a storm-tossed boat. An intelligent man has faith in the Law, which for him is as trustworthy as an oracle."

"If you want people to listen to you, prepare what you have to say; recall what you have learned before you give an answer."

"Why is one day holier than another, when the light of the sun shines on every day of the year? By the Lord’s decision they were made different; he arranged the different seasons and feasts. Some of these he chose to make holy, others he made ordinary days. All human beings come from clay just as Adam himself was formed. In the fullness of his wisdom the Lord made each one unique and diversified his conditions. Some he made holy, keeping them near to himself. Others he cursed and humiliated, removing them from where they were. As clay in the hand of the potter to be molded as he pleases, so are all in the hands of the Creator to be dealt with as he sees fit."

"The spirit of those who fear the Lord will live, for their hope is placed in the One who saves. He who fears the Lord is in dread of nothing. He will not be cowardly for he is his hope. He who fears the Lord is a happy person. To whom does he turn? Who is his support? The eyes of the Lord are on those who love him. For them he is powerful protection, strong support, shelter against scorching wind and the midday sun. He is a safeguard against stumbling and assurance against a fall. He lifts up the soul and gives a sparkle to the eyes; he gives healing, life and blessing."

"Offering to God from what belongs to the poor is like slaughtering a son in the presence of his father."

"Bread is life to the poor; he who takes it from them is a murderer."

"He who deprives others of a livelihood kills them, and whoever withdraws the salary of a worker is guilty of blood. If one builds and the other destroys, what do they gain besides trouble? If one prays and the other curses, whose voice will the Master listen to?"

"If a man is cleansed after touching a corpse and then touches it again, what good was there in his cleansing? If anyone fasts for his sins and then commits the same sins, who will hear his prayer? What value is there in his fasting?"

"Keeping the Law is worth many offerings. Being faithful to the commandments is like a peace offering. Returning kindness is an offering of fine flour; giving alms is a sacrifice of praise. Renouncing sin pleases the Lord, and shunning injustice is a sacrifice of atonement."

"Give to the Most High as he has given to you; give generously to the Lord according to what you have; the Lord will repay, he will reward you sevenfold."

"The Lord is judge and shows no partiality. He will not disadvantage the poor, he who hears the prayer of the oppressed. He does not disdain the plea of the orphan, nor the complaint of the widow. When tears flow down her cheeks, is she not crying out against the one who caused her to weep?"

"The one who serves God wholeheartedly will be heard; his petition will reach the clouds. The prayer of the humble person pierces the clouds, and he is not consoled until he has been heard. His prayer will not cease until the Most High has looked down, until justice has been done in favor of the righteous."

"A woman will accept any husband but some daughters are better than others. Woman’s beauty rejoices people and is beyond all that could be wished for. If she is kindly-spoken and gentle he is the most fortunate of men. When a man marries he acquires a fortune, someone who understands him and who will help and support him. When there is no hedge the property will be destroyed; and when a man has no wife he is a fretful wanderer. Who would trust a clever robber flitting from town to town? And who would trust a man without a nest, who lodges wherever nightfall finds him?"

"Every friend says, “I am your friend, too,” but some friends are only friends in name. Is it not a deadly grief when a companion or friend turns into an enemy? O evil intention! From where have you sprung, to cover the earth with deceit? One kind of comrade takes advantage of his friend’s good fortune; in time of trouble he turns against him. Another kind shares his friend’s suffering, for the sake of a meal; when it comes to a fight, he thinks only of saving himself. Do not neglect a friend or forget him once you are wealthy."

"Do not seek advice from one who looks at you suspiciously; hide your plans from those who envy you."

"Do not consult a woman about her rival, or a coward about war, or a merchant about exchange rates, or a buyer about selling, or a jealous man about gratitude, or a selfish person about generosity, or an idler about any kind of work, or a casual worker about finishing a job, or a lazy servant about an important task. Do not rely on these people for any advice."

"In the end, keep to your own heart’s advice, since no one deserves to be trusted more than your heart. For a man’s soul often gives better advice than seven watchmen placed on a height. Besides all this, implore the Almighty to guide your steps in the truth. A plan must be at the beginning of all work; reflection comes before every action. When you decide, four ways are open before you: good, evil, life and death. Your own decision makes the choice."

"The truly wise man teaches his people, and they benefit by his knowledge. The wise man is full of blessings; those who see him call him happy."

"My son, test yourself during the course of your life; see what is harmful and avoid it. For everything does not suit everybody, nor is everyone satisfied with all things. Do not be insatiable in every pleasure, or be excessive in what you eat; for overeating leads to sickness and gluttony brings indigestion. Many have died because of gluttony; he who takes care prolongs his life."

"A law student acquires wisdom during his leisure hours; free from business he is capable of becoming wise. How can the man who guides a plow become wise, he whose pride lies in snapping a whip and driving a bullock, who works continually and talks of nothing but cattle? His heart is set on plowing furrows and all his attention is given to fattening heifers."

"Quite different is it with the person who spends his life reflecting on the Law of the Most High. He examines the wisdom of the sages in times past and in his free time he studies prophecies. He keeps in mind what people of renown have said and penetrates the mystery of parables. He searches for the inner meaning of proverbs and is interested in the secret of parables. He is at the service of the great and is seen in the company of leaders. He travels in foreign lands and has experience of both the good and the evil in mankind. Early in the morning his heart is set on turning to the Lord, his Maker, and raising his being to the Most High. He opens his mouth in prayer and makes supplication because of his sins. If such is the will of the great Lord he will be filled with the spirit of discernment. He will then speak words of wisdom and celebrate the Lord in prayer. He will acquire just judgment and knowledge and reflect on the Lord’s hidden mysteries."

"How magnificent are the works of the Lord! All his commands are appropriately timed and satisfy every need. No one should say: “What is this? Why is that?” All must be studied in its time. At his word the waters ceased to flow and piled up, his voice caused the reservoir of water to open; at his order his every wish is fulfilled, and no one hinders his work of salvation. The deeds of all are before him, nothing is hidden from his eyes; he sees all from eternity to eternity and nothing surprises him."

"No one must say: “What is that? Why is it so?” for everything is created for a purpose."

"For that reason I reflected and from the beginning I decided to write: All the works of the Lord are good and he will satisfy every need in due time. You must not say: This is less good than that, for in its time everything will serve a purpose. So now, with all your heart and in full voice, sing and bless the Name of the Lord."

"Painful is the lot of all humans, a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam from the day they leave their mother’s womb to the day they return to the mother of us all. What is on their mind, what they fear in their heart, is the day of their death. From the king, glorious on his throne, robed in purple and wearing a crown, to the lowliest person sitting in dust and ashes and covered with sackcloth, there is anger, envy, trouble and unrest, fear of death, rivalry and quarrels."

"Everything that comes from the earth goes back to the earth, and what comes from the waters returns to the sea."

"All bribery, all injustice will disappear but good faith will last forever."

"The unjust riches will vanish like a stream that dries up; they will crash like a clap of thunder during a downpour. A generous man has reason to rejoice, whereas sinners go to their ruin."

"The name of a man who has children or who has established a town will live on, but to have found wisdom is a greater good. Owning cattle and plantations brings fame, but a perfect wife is a richer blessing."

"It is always good for friends and companions to meet, better still for husband and wife."

"Gold and silver make for security but good advice is better. Wealth and strength give confidence, but good counsel is more esteemed than either. You cannot suffer loss when you fear the Lord, with it you have all the support you need. The fear of the Lord is like a garden of blessings; it clothes a person better than any glory."

"Death! What a bitter thought for someone who lives happily among his possessions, a prosperous and successful man who is still able to enjoy his food! Your sentence, Death, is welcome to a needy person whose strength is failing, who is old, worn out, and full of worries; to one who is angry and without hope! Do not be afraid of Death’s sentence; think of those who have gone before you and those who will follow. The Lord has decreed it for every living creature; why should you rebel against the good pleasure of the Most High? Whether you live for ten, a hundred or a thousand years, no one in the netherworld is concerned."

"Abominable people, such are the children of sinners who gather in the houses of the ungodly. The inheritance of sinners will perish; their prosperity will be a lasting reproach. An ungodly father will be insulted by his children, for they hold him responsible for their disgrace."

"Woe to you, wicked people who have forsaken the law of the Most High! At birth you are born to be cursed and you will be cursed at death. All that comes from the earth returns to the earth, and the ungodly go from curse to ruin."

"Have regard for your reputation, for it will live on, of greater value than a thousand hoards of gold. Few perhaps are the days of the just man’s life but an honored name endures forever."