Pirke Avot (Sayings of the Fathers)

5 quotes

Era: Mishnah (compiled c. 200 CE) / 1913 English
Place: Land of Israel (Mishnah, Galilee)

Tractate of the Mishnah gathering the ethical sayings of the early sages, such as Hillel, Shammai, and Rabbi Tarfon. English here is Joseph I. Gorfinkle’s public-domain translation (1913).

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If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I care for myself only, what am I? And if not now, when?
— Hillel, Pirke Avot 1:14Jewish
It is not thy duty to complete the work, but neither art thou free to desist from it.
— Rabbi Tarfon, Pirke Avot 2:21Jewish
Who is rich? He who rejoices in his portion.
— Ben Zoma, Pirke Avot 4:1Jewish
Say little and do much; and receive all men with a cheerful countenance.
— Shammai, Pirke Avot 1:15Jewish
In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man.
— Hillel, Pirke Avot 2:6Jewish