Recommended Reading
- ‘The Essential Talmud‘ by Adin Steinsaltz
- ‘The Talmud: A Selection‘ by Norman Solomon
- ‘Everyman’s Talmud: The Major Teachings of the Rabbinic Sages‘ by Abraham Cohen
- ‘Reference Guide to the Talmud‘ by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz
Inspirational Quotes from the Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)
God’s commandments are intended to enhance the value and enjoyment of life, but not to mar it and make it gloomy.
—The Talmud
Topics: Religion
When our conjugal love was strong, the width of the threshold offered sufficient accommodation for both of us; but now that it has cooled down, a couch sixty yards wide is too narrow.
—The Talmud
Topics: Love
He who has compassion on his fellow man is accounted of the true seed of Abraham.
—The Talmud
Topics: Mercy
Though thousands do thy friendship seek, To one alone thy secret speak.
—The Talmud
Topics: Secrets
Laughter and levity habituate a man to lewdness.
—The Talmud
The virtuous of all nations participate in eternal bliss.
—The Talmud
Topics: Tolerance
Birds of a feather flock together; and so with men—like to like.
—The Talmud
Topics: Loyalty, Associates
Always pray with humility and with a clear conscience.
—The Talmud
Topics: Prayer
The strict observance of Sabbath and the Day of Atonement is set aside, when the physician declares such desecration necessary, even against the will of the patient.
—The Talmud
The world is only saved by the breath of the school-children.
—The Talmud
Topics: Wisdom
Who is a hero? He who turns his enemy into a friend.
—The Talmud
Topics: Proverbs, Enemy
The righteous need no monuments. Their deeds are their monuments.
—The Talmud
One hour employed in this world in the exercise of repentance and good deeds is preferable to a whole life in the world to come; and one hour’s refreshment of spirit in the future world is preferable to the entire life in this.
—The Talmud
Topics: Repentance
Deeds of kindness are equal in weight to all the commandments.
—The Talmud
Topics: Kindness
A woman schemes while plying the spindle.
—The Talmud
Topics: Woman
Happy the man who repents in the strength of his manhood.
—The Talmud
Topics: Repentance
Jerusalem was destroyed because the instruction of the young was neglected.
—The Talmud
Topics: Wisdom
A quotation at the right moment is like bread to the famished.
—The Talmud
Topics: Quotations
Love inspired by unworthy motives dies when those motives disappear.
—The Talmud
Topics: Love
First, our passions are like travellers, making a brief stay, then like guests visiting us day by day, until at last they become our masters, holding us beneath their sway.
—The Talmud
Topics: Passion
If thy business does not prosper in one town try another.
—The Talmud
Topics: Business
Pray for the welfare of the government, since if it were not for the awe which it inspires, men would swallow each other alive.
—The Talmud
Topics: Patriotism
The shepherd is lame and the goats are nimble, but at the entrance of the fold they will have to meet him and at the door of the stable they will be counted.
—The Talmud
Topics: Justice
This world is like a road-side inn, but the world to come is like the real home.
—The Talmud
Topics: Immortality
Live well. It is the greatest revenge.
—The Talmud
Topics: Revenge
He who is continually struggling with poverty is often enticed, on account of his sufferings, to murmur against an all-wise Providence. He frequently thinks: “Am I not also God’s creature? Why does there exist such difference between me and the wealthy? He sleeps quietly in his splendid mansion, and I have to lie in my miserable hut; he sleeps in his soft bed, and I am obliged to take my rest on the hard floor”.
—The Talmud
Topics: Charity
Not what you say about yourself, but what others say.
—The Talmud
Topics: Public opinion
There is no difference between robbing a Jew or robbing a Gentile; if any, to rob a Gentile is a greater sin than to rob a Jew.
—The Talmud
Topics: Relationships
Let youth and old age not be joined in marriage, lest the purity and peace of domestic life be disturbed.
—The Talmud
One who restrains his temper, all his sins meet forgiveness.
—The Talmud
Topics: Temper
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Stephen Samuel Wise Hungarian Rabbi
- Joshua L. Liebman American Rabbi
- Bahya ibn Paquda Jewish Philosopher
- Corrie Ten Boom Dutch Evangelist
- Harold Kushner American Rabbi, Author
- Moshe Chaim Luzzatto Italian Jewish Rabbi
- Moses Mendelssohn German Jewish Philosopher
- Nachman of Breslov Ukrainian Jewish Religions Leader
- Hyman Judah Schachtel American Rabbi
- Abraham Joshua Heschel American Jewish Rabbi
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