en." He used to say, "the impudent are for hell and the modest for
paradise. May it be acceptable in Thy presence, O Lord our God! that Thy
city may speedily be rebuilt in our days, and let our portion be in Thy
law."

21. He also said, "at five years of age a child should study the Bible; at
ten he should study the Mishna; at thirteen he should observe the
precepts; at fifteen he should study the Gemara; at eighteen he should get
married; at twenty he should study the law; at thirty he is arrived at
full strength; at forty he is arrived at understanding; at fifty he is
able to give counsel; at sixty he is accounted aged; at seventy he is
hoary; at eighty he may still be accounted strong; at ninety he is only
fit for the pit;(502) at 100 he is as if already dead and forgotten from
the world."

22. The son of Bagbag said, "ponder the law again and again, for all
things are in it; contemplate it always, and depart not from it, for there
is nothing to be preferred to it."

23. The son of Haha said, "the reward is proportioned to the labor."

Chapter VI

1. The Sages studied in the language of the Mishna; blessed be He who made
choice of them and their learning. R. Meier said, "he who is engaged in
the study of the law for its own sake merits many things, and not only so,
but the whole world is under the greatest obligation to him; he is called
a dear friend, dear to God and dear to mankind; he rejoices God and
rejoices His creatures. It clothes him with meekness and the fear of God,
and directs him to become just, pious, righteous, and faithful; it removes
him from sin, and brings him near to merit, and the world is benefited by
his counsel, sound wisdom, understanding, and strength; as is said,
'Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have
strength.'(503) It also bestows on him empire, dominion, and perception in
judgment. It reveals the secrets of the law to him, and he shall be an
increasing fountain, and a never-failing river; and it will cause him to
be modest, slow to anger, and ready to pardon an injury done to him; and
it will magnify and exalt him above all things."

2. R. Joshua, son of Levi, said, "every day a Divine voice (_bath kol_)
proceeds from Mount Horeb, which proclaims and says, 'Woe be to those who
contemn the law; for whoever is not engaged in the study of the law may be
considered as excommunicate'; for it is said, 'as a jewel of gold in a
swine's snout, so is a fair woma