Rabbi Chanina, the Deputy Kohen [Gadol], says: Pray for the welfare of the government, because if people did not fear it, a person would swallow his fellow alive.  Rabbi Chanania ben Tradyon says: [When] two people are sitting [together] and there are no words of Torah between them, this is a session of scorners, as it is stated: In the session of scorners he did not sit. But two who are sitting [together] and there are words of Torah between them, the Divine Presence dwells between them, as it is stated: Then those who fear Hashem spoke to each other, and Hashem listened and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear Hashem and give thought to His Name. I only know two. From where [do we know] that even one person who sits and occupies himself with Torah, that the Holy One, Blessed is He, determines a reward for him? as it is stated: Let one sit in solitude and whisper, for he has taken [a reward] for it.