Rabbi Gamaliel ordered his servant Tobi to bring something good from the market, and he brought a tongue.  At another time he told him to bring something bad, and he also returned with a tongue.  “Why did you on both occasions fetch a tongue?” the Rabbi asked.  “It is the source of good and evil,” Tobi replied.  “If it is good, there is nothing better; if it is bad, there is nothing worse.”

The forest trees once asked the fruit trees:  “Why is the rustling of your leaves not heard in the distance?” The fruit trees replied:  “We can dispense with the rustling to manifest our presence; our fruits testify for us.”  The fruit trees then inquired of the forest trees; “Why do your leaves rustle almost continually?” “We are forced to call the attention of man to our existence.”

Too many Captains sink the ship.

An old man is a trouble in the house; an old woman is a treasure in the house.

Two pieces of coin in one bag make more noise than a hundred.

When the flood came over the earth and everything was threatened with destruction, and every kind of beast came in pairs to Noah, the Lie, too, asked admittance into the ark.  Noah, however, refused.  “Only pairs may enter here,” he said.  The Lie went in search of a companion, and at last met Vice, whom it invited to go to the ark.  “I am willing to keep company with thee, if thou wilt promise to give me all thy earnings,” said Vice.  The Lie agreed, and they were both admitted into the ark.  After they left the ark, the Lie regretted her agreement, and wished to dissolve partnership with Vice, but it was too late, and thus it is current that “what Lie earneth, Vice consumeth.”

Support the aged without reference to religion; respect the learned without reference to age.

Repent the day before thy death.

Ten measures of wisdom came into the world; the law of Israel received nine measures, and the balance of the world one.  Ten measures of beauty came into the world; Jerusalem received nine measures, and the rest of the world one.

The world stands on three pillars:  law, worship, and charity.

When he who attends the synagogue regularly is prevented from being present, God asks for him.

His enemies will humble themselves before the one who builds a place of worship.

He who is able to attend synagogue, and neglects to do so, is a bad neighbor.

One need not stand upon a high place to pray, for it is written, “Out of the depths have I called unto Thee, oh Lord.”  The same Rabbi prohibits moving about or talking during the progress of prayers, enlarging on Solomon’s advice, “Keep thy foot when thou goest into the house of the Lord, and be more ready to hear than to offer the sacrifice of fools.”

The cock and the owl both await daylight.  “The light,” says the cock, “brings me delight; but what in the world art thou waiting for?”

The thief who finds no opportunity to steal, considers himself an honest man.