Rabban Gamliel, the son of R' Yehudah HaNasi, says: Torah study is good together with an occupation, for exertion of them both makes sin forgotten. All Torah study that is not joined with work will cease in the end, and lead to sin. All who exert themselves for the community should exert themselves for the sake of Heaven, for the merit of the [community's] forefathers aids them, and their righteousness will endure forever. Nevertheless, as for you, I [God] will bestow great reward upon you, as if you had accomplished it on your own.

Beware of rulers, for they befriend someone only for their own benefit; they appear as friends when it benefits them, but do not stand by someone in his time of need.

He used to say: Treat His will as if it were your own will, so that He will treat your will as if it were His will. Nullify your will in the face of His will, so that He will nullify the will of others in the face of your will. Hillel says: Do not separate yourself from the community. Do not believe in yourself until the day you die. Do not judge your fellow until you have reached his place. Do not make a statement that cannot be easily understood, [assuming] that it will be understood eventually. And do not say, “When I am free I will study,” for perhaps you will not become free.

He used to say: A boor cannot be fearful of sin; an unlearned person cannot be scrupulously pious; a bashful person cannot learn; and a short-tempered person cannot teach; nor can everyone who is exces- sively occupied in business become a schol-ar; and in a place where there are no leaders, strive to be a leader.