He used to say: Beloved is man, for he was created in the image [of God]. A greater love [is that] it was made known to him that he was created in the image [of God], as it is stated: For in the image of God He made man.  Beloved is Israel, for they are called “children” of the Omnipresent. A greater love [is that] it was made known to them that they are called “chil-dren” of the Omnipresent, as it is stated: You are children to Hashem, your God.  Beloved is Israel, for a desirable uten-sil was given to them. A greater love [is that] it was made known to them that a desirable utensil —- with which the world was created —- was given to them, as it is stated: For I have given you a good teaching, do not forsake My Torah.

Everything is known, permission is granted, and the world is judged with goodness. Yet everything [is] in accordance with the abundance of deeds.

He used to say: Everything is given with a guarantor, and a net is spread over all the living.  The shop is open; the Mer-chant extends credit; the ledger is open and the Hand writes; whoever wishes to borrow may come and borrow; the collectors make their rounds constantly, every day, and collect payment from the person, whether he realizes it or not; they have what to rely upon; the judgment is a truthful judgment; and everyone is readied for the banquet.

Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah says: If there is no Torah, there is no proper conduct. If there is no proper conduct, there is no Torah.  If there is no wisdom, there is no fear [of God]. If there is no fear [of God], there is no wisdom.  If there is no un-derstanding, there is no knowledge. If there is no knowledge, there is no understanding.  If there is no flour, there is no Torah. If there is no Torah, there is no flour.  He used to say: Anyone whose wisdom exceeds his actions, to what is he lik-ened? To a tree whose branches are numerous but whose roots are few, then the wind comes and uproots it and turns it up-side down, as it is stated: He will be like a lone tree in the desert, and will not see when goodness comes; it dwells in parched lands in the wilderness, in a salty, uninhabited land. But one whose actions exceed his wisdom, to what is he likened? To a tree whose branches are few but whose roots are numerous; even if all the winds in the world were to come and blow against it, they could not budge it from its place, as it is stated: He will be like a tree planted near water, which spreads out its roots along a brook and does not see when heat comes, whose foliage is ever fresh; it will not worry in a year of drought and will not stop producing fruit.