n which is without discretion';(504) and
it is said, 'And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the
writing of God, graven upon the tables.'(505) Read not graven but freedom;
for who are counted free but those engaged in the study of the law, and
whoever is engaged in the study of the law is exalted; as it is said, 'And
from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth.' "(506)

3. He who learns from his companion one chapter, sentence, verse, or
expression, ought to behave toward him with respect; for thus we find by
David, King of Israel, who having learned only two things from Ahitophel,
called him his teacher, guide, and acquaintance, as is said, "But it was
thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance."(507) Hence it
may be deduced that if David, King of Israel, who having learned only two
things from Ahitophel, called him his "teacher, guide, and acquaintance,"
how much more ought he who learns from his companion a single chapter,
sentence, verse, or expression, to show him the utmost respect? And there
is no glory but the knowledge of the law; as is said, "The wise shall
inherit glory";(508) and the perfect shall inherit the good; but nothing
is really good but the law, as is said, "For I give you good doctrine,
forsake ye not my law."(509)

4. Thus is the law to be observed: Thou shalt eat bread and salt, and
water by measure shalt thou drink; on the earth shalt thou sleep, and a
life of trouble shalt thou live; and thou shalt labor in the study of the
law. If thou doest thus, thou shalt be happy, and it shall be well with
thee; thou shalt be happy in this world, and it shall be well with thee in
the world to come.

5. Seek not grandeur for thyself, neither covet more honor than thy
learning merits. Crave not after the tables of kings; for thy table is
greater than their table, and thy crown is greater than their crown; and
the Master who employs thee is faithful to pay thee the reward of thy
labor.

6. The law is more excellent than the priesthood and royalty; for royalty
is acquired by thirty properties, and the priesthood by twenty-four; but
the law is acquired by forty-eight things, and these are they--with study,
attention, eloquence; an understanding heart, an intelligent heart; with
dread and meekness, fear and joy; with attendance on the Sages, the
acuteness of companions, and disputations of the disciples; with
sedateness, the study of the Bible, and the Mishna; in puri