Once as they were journeying to Chesib (in Palestine), some of Rabbi Akiva’s disciples were overtaken by a band of robbers, who demanded to know where they were going to.  “We are going to Acco,” was the reply; but on arriving at Chesib, they went no farther.  The robbers then asked them who they were?  “Disciples of Rabbi Akiva,” they replied.  Upon hearing this the robbers exclaimed, “Blessed surely is Rabbi Akiva and his disciples too, for no man can ever do them any harm.”  Once as Rabbi Menasi was traveling to Thurtha (in Babylonia), some thieves surprised him on the road and asked him where he was bound for.  “For Pumbeditha,” was the reply; but upon reaching Thurtha, he stayed and went no farther.  The highwaymen, thus balked, retorted, “Thou art the disciple of Yehuda the deceiver!” “Oh, you know my master, do you?” said the Rabbi.  “Then in the name of God be every one of you anathematized.”  For twenty-two years thereafter they carried on their nefarious trade, but all their attempts at violence ended only in disappointment.  Then all save one of them came to the Rabbi and craved his pardon, which was immediately granted.  The one who did not come to confess his guilt and obtain absolution was a weaver, and he was eventually devoured by a lion.  Hence the proverbs, “If a weaver does not humble himself, he shortens his life;” and, “Come and see the difference there is between the thieves of Babylon and the banditti of the land of Israel.”

Avodah Zarah, fol. 26, col. 1.

Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus was twenty-two years of age when, contrary to the wishes of his father, he went to Rabbon Yochanan ben Zaccai purposing to devote himself to the study of the law.  By the time he arrived at Rabbon Yochanan’s he had been without food four-and-twenty hours, and yet, though repeatedly asked whether he had had anything to eat, refused to confess he was hungry.  His father having come to know where he was, went one day to the place on purpose to disinherit him before the assembled Rabbis.  It so happened that Rabbon Yochanan was at that time lecturing before some of the great men of Jerusalem, and when he saw the father enter, he pressed Rabbi Eliezer to deliver an exposition.  So racy and cogent were his observations that Rabbon Yochanan rose and styled him his own Rabbi, and thanked him in the name of the rest for the instruction he had afforded them.  Then the father of Rabbi Eliezer said, “Rabbis, I came here for the purpose of disinheriting my son, but now I declare him sole heir of all I have, to the exclusion of his brothers.”

Avoth d’Rab.  Nathan, chap. 6.