The Jewish Wisdom Database

The wheel always comes full circle.

If a man sanctifies himself a little, he will be sanctified much.

A home not made for springtime and for rainy days is none.

Boys should be given bread, old men---oil, babies---honey.

It is not the place that honors its man, but the man that honors his place.

There used to be a very good custom in Jerusalem: a table-cloth was spread at the door - - - so long as it was in place, guests would enter the house. When it was removed, they would not.

Hospitality matters more than being early in synagogue.

A man first builds a house and afterwards brings in the furniture. [First things first.]

A house where one lives against one's will is no house.

The begger is hungry and does not know it.

A drunkard who prays is as though he worships idols.

Who denies idolatry is as one that avows the Torah entire.

To break the barrel and keep its wine. [You cannot eat your cake and have it.]

Ingathering of Exiles is as important as the day when heaven and earth were created.

Insulting one's senior is not the same as insulting one's junior.

An intelligent man can be recognized by his expressions.

A good intention is accounted as a good deed. If a man intends to perform a good deed but is prevented from doing so, he is to be treated as though he has done it.

This nation is like the dust and like the stars: when it sinks, it sinks to the dust, and when it rises, it rises to the stars!

Eternity means Jerusalem.

Who saw not Jerusalem in its glory has never seen a beautiful city.

Ten measures of beauty were given the world, nine were taken by Jerusalem and one by all the rest.

Jerusalem was destroyed just because school-children were kept from their classrooms.

All Jews are responsible each for the other.

A person is judged only by his acts at the time.

If you see a generation drowning in a sea of troubles, go forth and consider what the judges of Israel do!