[Rabban Gamliel] washed on the first night that his wife died. His students said to him: Did you not teach us, our master, that a mourner is forbidden to wash? He said to them: I am not like all other people; I am a delicate individual.

And when Tavi his slave died, he accepted condolences for him. His students said to him: Did you not teach us, our master, that we do not accept condolences for slaves? He said to them: Tavi my slave is not like all other slaves; he was a worthy [person].