d
he who does not increase his knowledge in the law, shall be cut off, and
he who does not study the law, is deserving of death, and he who serves
himself with the crown of the law, will perish."

14. He also said, "if I perform not good works myself, who can do them for
me?" and "when I consider myself, what am I?" and "if not now, when shall
I?"

15. Shammai said, "let thy study of the law be fixed, say little and do
much, and receive all men with an open, pleasant face."

16. Rabban Gamaliel said, "procure thyself an instructor, that thou mayest
not be in doubt, and accustom not thyself to give tithes by conjecture."

17. Simon, his son, said, "I have all my life been brought up among wise
men, and never found anything so good for the body as silence, neither is
the study of the law the principal thing, but its practice," and "whoever
multiplies words causes sin."

18. Rabban Simon, son of Gamaliel, said the duration of the world depends
on three things, justice, truth, and peace, as is said, "judge truth, and
justice, and peace in your gates."

Chapter II

1. Rabbi Judah said, "which are the most eligible paths for man to choose?
All such as are an ornament to those who tread therein; and get them honor
from man. Be also as careful of the observance of a light precept, as of a
weighty one; because thou knowest not the due reward of the precepts, and
balance the loss sustained by the omission of a precept against its
recompense, and the reward of sin against its loss of happiness. Consider
also three things, and thou wilt not transgress. Understand what is above
thee: an All-seeing Eye and a Hearing Ear; and that all thy actions are
written in a Book."

2. Rabban Gamaliel, the son of Rabban Judah the Prince, said, "that the
study of the law and intercourse with the world are commendable together,
as the joining of these two annihilates sin; and all the study of the law,
that is not supported by business, will become of none effect, and will be
the cause of sin; and whoever is engaged in the service of the
congregation, ought to act for God's sake, then will the merit of their
ancestors support them, and their charitable deeds exist to eternity; and
I (God) shall account you deserving of a great recompense, as if ye had
actually done it."

3. "Be ye warned of following princes, as they only bestow favors on men
for their own interest. They show themselves as friends while men are
useful to them; but t