Ben Bag Bag said, Turn it (the Torah) and turn it over again, for everything is in it, and contemplate it, and wax grey and old over it, and stir not from it, for thou canst have no better rule than this. 5.25
Ben Hai Hai, According to the labor is the reward.
He used to say, If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when? [1.14]
[Hillel] Whatever is hateful unto thee, do not do unto thy fellow: this is the whole Torah; the rest is explanation. [“What is hateful to you, do not do to others; this is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary. Go and {study}”]
Judah, the son of Tema, said, Be strong as a leopard, light as an eagle, fleet as a hart, and strong as a lion, to do the will of thy Father who is in heaven. 5.23
R. Meir: Wert thou to give me all the silver and gold and precious stones and pearls in the world, I would not dwell anywhere but in a home of the Torah… 6.9
Shammai said, Fix a period for thy study of the Torah; say little and do much; and receive all men with a cheerful countenance. [1.15]
Rabbi Tarfon said, The day is short, and the work is great, and the laborers are sluggish, and the reward is much, and the Master is urgent. 2.20
He used also to say, It is not thy duty to complete the work, but neither art thou free to desist from it; if thou hast studied much Torah, much reward will be given thee, for faithful is thy Employer to pay thee the reward of thy labor; and know that the grant of reward unto the righteous will be in the time to come. 2.21
R. Yannai said, It is not in our power to explain either the prosperity of the wicked or the afflictions of the righteous. 4.19
–Joseph Hertz, Saying of the Fathers (or Pirke Aboth)
