There are four types of people who go to the study hall: (1) [One who] goes but does not act, the reward for going is in his hand. (2) [One who] acts but does not go, the reward for acting is in his hand. (3) [One who] goes and acts [is] a pious person. (4) [One who] does not go and does not act [is] a wicked person.

There are four types of people who sit before sages: (1) a sponge, (2) a funnel, (3) a strainer, and (4) a sieve: a sponge, which soaks up everything; a funnel, which takes in one [end] and passes through to the other [end]; a strainer, which removes the wine but collects the dregs; a sieve, which removes the flour dust but collects the fine flour.

Any love that depends on a [particular] thing, when that thing ceases, the love will cease; but [a love] that does not depend on any [particular] thing, it will never cease. What is [an example of] love that depends on a [particular] thing? —- The love of Amnon and Tamar. And [what is an example of love] that does not depend on any [particular] thing? —- The love of David and Jonathan.

Any dispute that is for the sake of Heaven will endure; but one that is not for the sake of Heaven will not endure. What is [an example of] a dispute that is for the sake of Heaven? —- The dispute between Hillel and Shammai. And what is [an example of] a dispute that is not for the sake of Heaven? —- The dispute of Korah and his entire company.