for a man to say,
"I will go home; I will eat and drink; and things shall be peaceful to
me;" 'tis of such a one that the holy book speaks, saying, "And behold
there is gladness and joy; slaying of oxen, and killing of sheep; eating
of flesh, and drinking of wine. 'Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we
must die.' And it was revealed in my ears by the Lord of Hosts; surely
the iniquity shall not be forgiven ye until ye die."

Our teacher, Moses, always bore his share in the troubles of the
congregation, as it is written, "They took a stone and put it under
him." Could they not have given him a chair or a cushion? But then he
said, "Since the Israelites are in trouble (during the war with Amalek)
lo, I will bear my part with them, for he who bears his portion of the
burden will live to enjoy the hour of consolation. Woe to the one who
thinks, 'Ah, well, I will neglect my duty; who can know whether I bear
my part or not;' even the stones of his house, aye, the limbs of the
trees, shall testify against him, as it is written, 'For the stones will
cry from the wall, and the limbs of the trees will testify.'"

* * * * *

Rabbi Meir said, "When a man teaches his son a trade, he should pray to
the Possessor of the world, the Dispenser of wealth and poverty; for in
every trade and pursuit of life both the rich and the poor are to be
found. It is folly for one to say, 'This is a bad trade, it will not
afford me a living;' because he will find many well to do in the same
occupation. Neither should a successful man boast and say, 'This is a
great trade, a glorious art, it has made me wealthy;' because many
working in the same line as himself have found but poverty. Let all
remember that everything is through the infinite mercy and wisdom of
God."

Rabbi Simon, the son of Eleazer, said, "Hast thou ever noted the fowls
of the air and beasts of the field how easily their maintenance is
provided for them; and yet they were only created to serve me. Now
should not I find a livelihood with even less trouble, for I was made to
serve my fellow-creatures? But, alas! I sinned against my Creator,
therefore am I punished with poverty and obliged to labor."

Rabbi Judah said, "Most mule-drivers are cruel. They beat their poor
beasts unmercifully. Most camel-drivers are upright. They travel through
deserts and dangerous places, and have time for meditation and thoughts
of God. The majority of seamen are religi