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)
When the woman slumbers, the workbasket falls to the ground.
—The Talmud
Topics: Idleness
Richer is one hour of repentance and good works in this world than all of life of the world to come; and richer is one hour’s calm of spirit in the world to come than all of life of this world.
—The Talmud
Teach the children of the poor without compensation, and do not favor the children of the rich.
—The Talmud
Topics: Wisdom
The grave is like a Melotian (silken) raiment for the pious man, who comes fully provided with provisions; the pious man can look upon the future life without fear, because he comes to the other world well prepared.
—The Talmud
Topics: Immortality
If a man has knowledge, he has all things; if he has no knowledge, he has nothing.
—The Talmud
Topics: Wisdom
The prayers of the proud are never heard.
—The Talmud
Topics: Pride
The loss of a pious man is a loss to his whole generation.
—The Talmud
In three ways may we repent: by publicly confessing our sins, by manifesting sorrow for sins committed, and by good deeds, which are as sacrifices before the Lord.
—The Talmud
Topics: Repentance
No position can dignify the man. It is the man who dignifies the position.
—The Talmud
Misery and remorse are the children of revenge.
—The Talmud
Topics: Revenge
Let youth and old age not be joined in marriage, lest the purity and peace of domestic life be disturbed.
—The Talmud
Four dispositions are found among those who bestow charity. There is he who is willing to give, but does not wish others to give: he has an envious eye towards others. There is he who wishes others to give, but who will not give himself: he has an evil eye towards himself. He who is willing to give and wishes others to give also, is a pious man. He who neither gives himself nor wishes others to give, is a wicked man.
—The Talmud
Topics: Charity
A man commits sin in secret; but the Holy One proclaims it openly.
—The Talmud
Topics: Sin
If your neighbor is sick, pray for him.
—The Talmud
That which man conceals in his innermost chamber is plain and manifest to God.
—The Talmud
Topics: Secrets
Do not buy stolen goods.
—The Talmud
Topics: Honesty
One who restrains his temper, all his sins meet forgiveness.
—The Talmud
Topics: Temper
The receiver is as bad as the thief.
—The Talmud
Spending alms and practising benevolence exceed in importance all the other laws of the Torah.
—The Talmud
Topics: Charity
This world is an antechamber to the next.
—The Talmud
Topics: Immortality
The teachers are the guardians of a State.
—The Talmud
Topics: Wisdom
Despise not small favors.
—The Talmud
Topics: Ingratitude
Thy neighbor’s property must be as sacred to thee as thine own.
—The Talmud
Topics: Justice
Guard with jealous care thy neighbor’s honor.
—The Talmud
The end does not justify the means.
—The Talmud
Repeat, “repeat,” that is the best medicine for memory.
—The Talmud
Topics: Wisdom
Who is a wise man? He who learns of all men.
—The Talmud
Topics: Wisdom
God causes the remedial herbs to grow up from the ground; they become a healing cause in the hands of the physicians, and from them the druggist prepares the remedies.
—The Talmud
In the place where there is a leader,
do not seek to become a leader.
In the place where there is no leader,
strive to become a leader.
—The Talmud
Topics: Wisdom
Truth lasts forever, but falsehood must vanish.
—The Talmud
Topics: Truth
A special mansion will be given in Heaven to every pious man.
—The Talmud
Topics: Immortality
Let a man never allow an obscene word to pass out of his mouth.
—The Talmud
The merit of charitable works is in proportion to the grace with which they are practiced.
—The Talmud
Topics: Charity
A man’s wife has scarcely breathed her last when another is waiting to take her place.
—The Talmud
Were it not for patriotism, sterile lands would be deserted.
—The Talmud
Topics: Patriotism
If any blame be attached to thee, be the first to declare it.
—The Talmud
Topics: Guilt
For the blind in mind there is no physician.
—The Talmud
Topics: Wisdom
Rather be thou the tail among lions than the head among foxes.
—The Talmud
Topics: Humility
Every word, whether good or bad, accidental or intentional, is recorded in a book.
—The Talmud
Do not appease thy fellow in his hour of anger; do not comfort him while the dead is still laid out before him; do not question him in the hour of his vow; and do not strive to see him in his hour of misfortune.
—The Talmud
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