Proverbs from the Talmud

The ass complains of the cold even in July.

A single light answers as well for a hundred men as for one.

Teach thy tongue to say: "I do not know."

Thy friend has a friend, and thy friend's friend has a friend; be discreet.

Deal with those who are fortunate.

The doctor who prescribes gratuitously gives a worthless prescription.

The soldiers fight, and the kings are heroes.

Make but one sale, and thou art called a merchant.

If the fox is king bow before him.

The rivalry of scholars advances science.

The world is saved by the breath of school-children.

Even to rebuild the Temple, the schools must not be closed.

If a word spoken is its time is worth one piece of money, silence in its time is worth two.

Blessed is the son who has studied with his father, and blessed the father who has instructed his son.

Rab said: "Men should be careful lest they cause women to weep, for God counts their tears."

In cases of charity, where both women and men claim relief, the latter should be first assisted; if there should not be enough for both, the men should cheerfully relinquish their claims.

Rabbah said: "When one stands at the judgment seat of God these questions are asked: "Hast thou been honest in all thy dealings? Hast thou set aside a portion of thy time for the study of the Law? Hast thou observed the first commandment? Hast thou in trouble still hoped and believed in God? Hast thou spoken wisely?"