Work
Craft, ambition, money, meaning, and how we spend our days.
“Describe a piece of work you are proud of. Why did it matter, and what did making it teach you?”
From contributors
Stepping outside your identity — even briefly — lets you see the world more clearly, without the filters of culture, background, or expectation. Identity gives you something specific, but it also says no to a lot of things. The willingness to belong fully to neither side is not a loss; it's a vantage point.
Anonymous
The meaning of life is to be interesting and to experience new things.
Anonymous
Facets
The angles work keeps showing up at, across thousands of years.
Act without craving the fruit
True work is done fully and faithfully, without clinging to reward, recognition, or outcome.
23 passages · 4 traditions
Victory breeds hatred, for the conquered is unhappy. He who has given up both victory and defeat, he, the contented, is happy.
— Buddhism · Dhammapada, 15.v.201, tr. F. Max Müller, 1881 ↗
Yet, the right act Is less, far less, than the right-thinking mind. Seek refuge in thy soul; have there thy heaven! Scorn them that follow virtue for her gifts!
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 1.Chapter II, right mind over right act, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
Freed In all his works from prickings of desire, Burned clean in act by the white fire of truth, The wise call that man wise; and such an one, Renouncing fruit of deeds, always content, Always self-satisfying, if he works, Doth nothing that shall stain his separate soul.
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 3.Chapter IV, middle section, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
Therefore, who doeth work rightful to do, Not seeking gain from work, that man, O Prince! Is Sanyasi and Yogi--both in one
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 5.Chapter 5, opening, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
That is the true Renouncer, firm and fixed, Who--seeking nought, rejecting nought--dwells proof Against the "opposites."
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 4.IV, early section, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
Therefore, thy task prescribed With spirit unattached gladly perform, Since in performance of plain duty man Mounts to his highest bliss.
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 2.Chapter III, middle section, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
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Who doeth duties so, Unvexed if his work fail, if it succeed Unflattered, in his own heart justified, Quit of debates and doubts, his is 'true' act
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 17.Chapter XVIII, middle section, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
He that acts in thought of Brahm, Detaching end from act, with act content, The world of sense can no more stain his soul Than waters mar th' enamelled lotus-leaf.
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 4.IV, middle section, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
There is a task of holiness to do, Unlike world-binding toil, which bindeth not The faithful soul; such earthly duty do Free from desire, and thou shalt well perform Thy heavenly purpose.
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 2.Chapter III, early section, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
There is 'right' Action: that which being enjoined-- Is wrought without attachment, passionlessly, For duty, not for love, nor hate, nor gain.
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 17.Chapter XVIII, on Action, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
Despair not! give Me lower service! seek To reach Me, worshipping with steadfast will; And, if thou canst not worship steadfastly, Work for Me, toil in works pleasing to Me! For he that laboureth right for love of Me Shall finally attain!
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 11.Chapter 12, middle, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
No man shall 'scape from act By shunning action; nay, and none shall come By mere renouncements unto perfectness. Nay, and no jot of time, at any time, Rests any actionless; his nature's law Compels him, even unwilling, into act.
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 2.Chapter III, opening section, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
Abstaining from attachment to the work, Abstaining from rewardment in the work, While yet one doeth it full faithfully, Saying, 'Tis right to do!' that is 'true' act And abstinence!
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 17.Chapter XVIII, middle section, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
do not be like servants who serve the master in the expectation of receiving a reward, but be like servants who serve the master without the expectation of receiving a reward, and let the fear of Heaven be upon you.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 1.1:3, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
But thou, want not! ask not! Find full reward Of doing right in right! Let right deeds be Thy motive, not the fruit which comes from them. And live in action! Labour! Make thine acts Thy piety, casting all self aside, Contemning gain and merit; equable In good or evil: equability Is Yog, is piety!
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 1.Chapter II, the doctrine of action without attachment, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
He that abstains To help the rolling wheels of this great world, Glutting his idle sense, lives a lost life, Shameful and vain. Existing for himself, Self-concentrated, serving self alone, No part hath he in aught.
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 2.Chapter III, middle section, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
Do thine allotted task! Work is more excellent than idleness; The body's life proceeds not, lacking work.
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 2.Chapter III, opening section, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
Such votaries, renouncing fruit of deeds, Gain endless peace: the unvowed, the passion-bound, Seeking a fruit from works, are fastened down.
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 4.IV, middle section, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
Whate'er thou doest, Prince! / Eating or sacrificing, giving gifts, / Praying or fasting, let it all be done / For Me, as Mine. So shalt thou free thyself / From Karmabandh, the chain which holdeth men / To good and evil issue, so shalt come / Safe unto Me-when thou art quit of flesh--
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 8.late, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
To cease from works Is well, and to do works in holiness Is well; and both conduct to bliss supreme; But of these twain the better way is his Who working piously refraineth not.
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 4.IV, opening, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
Finally, this is better, that one do His own task as he may, even though he fail, Than take tasks not his own, though they seem good. To die performing duty is no ill; But who seeks other roads shall wander still.
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 2.Chapter III, near end, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
Such there be, who when they have done a good turn to any, are ready to set them on the score for it, and to require retaliation... Others again there be, who when they have done any such thing, do not so much as know what they have done; but are like unto the vine, which beareth her grapes, and when once she hath borne her own proper fruit, is contented and seeks for no further recompense. As a horse after a race, and a hunting dog when he hath hunted, and a bee when she hath made her honey, look not for applause and commendation; so neither doth that man that rightly doth understand his own nature when he hath done a good turn: but from one doth proceed to do another.
— Stoicism · Meditations, 5.VI, tr. George Long, 1862 ↗
Whoso performeth--diligent, content-- The work allotted him, whate'er it be, Lays hold of perfectness!
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 17.Chapter XVIII, late section, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
Deeds over words
What a person does matters far more than what they say, profess, or intend.
21 passages · 6 traditions
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
— Hebrew & Christian Bible · Bible, James.James 4:17, tr. King James Version (1611/1769), 1611 ↗
anyone whose fear of sin precedes his wisdom, his wisdom is enduring, but anyone whose wisdom precedes his fear of sin, his wisdom is not enduring. He [also] used to say: anyone whose deeds exceed his wisdom, his wisdom is enduring, but anyone whose wisdom exceeds his deeds, his wisdom is not enduring.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 3.3:9, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
But, like a beautiful flower, full of colour and full of scent, are the fine and fruitful words of him who acts accordingly.
— Buddhism · Dhammapada, 4.v.52, tr. F. Max Müller, 1881 ↗
He who sits Suppressing all the instruments of flesh, Yet in his idle heart thinking on them, Plays the inept and guilty hypocrite: But he who, with strong body serving mind, Gives up his mortal powers to worthy work, Not seeking gain, Arjuna! such an one Is honourable.
— Hinduism · Bhagavad Gita, 2.Chapter III, opening section, tr. Edwin Arnold, 1885 ↗
All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.
— Buddhism · Dhammapada, 1.v.2, tr. F. Max Müller, 1881 ↗
Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.
— Confucianism · Analects, 1.3, tr. James Legge, 1893 ↗
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But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
— Hebrew & Christian Bible · Bible, James.James 1:22, tr. King James Version (1611/1769), 1611 ↗
all my days I grew up among the sages, and I have found nothing better for a person than silence. Study is not the most important thing, but actions; whoever indulges in too many words brings about sin.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 1.1:17, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with virtue.
— Confucianism · Analects, 17.17, tr. James Legge, 1893 ↗
At first, my way with men was to hear their words, and give them credit for their conduct. Now my way is to hear their words, and look at their conduct.
— Confucianism · Analects, 5.9, tr. James Legge, 1893 ↗
one whose wisdom exceeds his deeds, to what may he be compared? To a tree whose branches are numerous but whose roots are few, so that when the wind comes, it uproots it and overturns it… But one whose deeds exceed his wisdom, to what may he be compared? To a tree whose branches are few but roots are many, so that even if all the winds in the world come and blow upon it, they cannot move it out of its place.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 3.3:17, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
Like a beautiful flower, full of colour, but without scent, are the fine but fruitless words of him who does not act accordingly.
— Buddhism · Dhammapada, 4.v.51, tr. F. Max Müller, 1881 ↗
Make it not any longer a matter of dispute or discourse, what are the signs and proprieties of a good man, but really and actually to be such.
— Stoicism · Meditations, 10.XVIII, tr. George Long, 1862 ↗
The thoughtless man, even if he can recite a large portion (of the law), but is not a doer of it, has no share in the priesthood, but is like a cowherd counting the cows of others.
— Buddhism · Dhammapada, 1.v.19, tr. F. Max Müller, 1881 ↗
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
— Hebrew & Christian Bible · Bible, James.James 2:17, tr. King James Version (1611/1769), 1611 ↗
He acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions.
— Confucianism · Analects, 2.13, tr. James Legge, 1893 ↗
Not to commit any sin, to do good, and to purify one's mind, that is the teaching of (all) the Awakened.
— Buddhism · Dhammapada, 14.v.183, tr. F. Max Müller, 1881 ↗
All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him, as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the carriage.
— Buddhism · Dhammapada, 1.v.1, tr. F. Max Müller, 1881 ↗
If a man make himself as he teaches others to be, then, being himself well subdued, he may subdue (others); one's own self is indeed difficult to subdue.
— Buddhism · Dhammapada, 12.v.159, tr. F. Max Müller, 1881 ↗
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
— Hebrew & Christian Bible · Bible, 1 John.1 John 3:17-18, tr. King James Version (1611/1769), 1611 ↗
In ancient times, men learned with a view to their own improvement. Now-a-days, men learn with a view to the approbation of others.
— Confucianism · Analects, 14.25, tr. James Legge, 1893 ↗
Steady effort, small steps
Great things are built gradually through persistence, discipline, and refusing to quit before the work is done.
16 passages · 6 traditions
Let no man think lightly of good, saying in his heart, It will not come nigh unto me. Even by the falling of water-drops a water-pot is filled; the wise man becomes full of good, even if he gather it little by little.
— Buddhism · Dhammapada, 9.v.122, tr. F. Max Müller, 1881 ↗
By rousing himself, by earnestness, by restraint and control, the wise man may make for himself an island which no flood can overwhelm.
— Buddhism · Dhammapada, 2.v.25, tr. F. Max Müller, 1881 ↗
It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 2.2:16, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
The tree which fills the arms grew from the tiniest sprout; the tower of nine storeys rose from a (small) heap of earth; the journey of a thousand li commenced with a single step.
If anything is to be done, let a man do it, let him attack it vigorously! A careless pilgrim only scatters the dust of his passions more widely.
— Buddhism · Dhammapada, 22.v.313, tr. F. Max Müller, 1881 ↗
Through zeal knowledge is gotten, through lack of zeal knowledge is lost; let a man who knows this double path of gain and loss thus place himself that knowledge may grow.
— Buddhism · Dhammapada, 20.v.282, tr. F. Max Müller, 1881 ↗
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Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
— Hebrew & Christian Bible · Bible, Proverbs.Proverbs 6:6-8, tr. King James Version (1611/1769), 1611 ↗
Be quick in performing a minor commandment as in the case of a major one, and flee from transgression; For one commandment leads to another commandment, and transgression leads to another transgression; For the reward for performing a commandment is another commandment and the reward for committing a transgression is a transgression.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 4.4:2, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
All difficult things in the world are sure to arise from a previous state in which they were easy, and all great things from one in which they were small. Therefore the sage, while he never does what is great, is able on that account to accomplish the greatest things.
The prosecution of learning may be compared to what may happen in raising a mound. If there want but one basket of earth to complete the work, and I stop, the stopping is my own work. It may be compared to throwing down the earth on the level ground. Though but one basketful is thrown at a time, the advancing with it is my own going forward.
— Confucianism · Analects, 9.18, tr. James Legge, 1893 ↗
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
— Hebrew & Christian Bible · Bible, Ecclesiastes.Ecclesiastes 9:10, tr. King James Version (1611/1769), 1611 ↗
Learn as if you could not reach your object, and were always fearing also lest you should lose it.
— Confucianism · Analects, 8.17, tr. James Legge, 1893 ↗
Do not be desirous to have things done quickly; do not look at small advantages. Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.
— Confucianism · Analects, 13.17, tr. James Legge, 1893 ↗
Use thyself even unto those things that thou doest at first despair of. For the left hand we see, which for the most part lieth idle because not used; yet doth it hold the bridle with more strength than the right, because it hath been used unto it.
— Stoicism · Meditations, 12.V, tr. George Long, 1862 ↗
You yourself must make an effort. The Tathagatas (Buddhas) are only preachers. The thoughtful who enter the way are freed from the bondage of Mara.
— Buddhism · Dhammapada, 20.v.276, tr. F. Max Müller, 1881 ↗
People in their conduct of affairs are constantly ruining them when they are on the eve of success. If they were careful at the end, as (they should be) at the beginning, they would not so ruin them.
Sufficiency over striving
Contentment with one's portion and freedom from ambition or greed are presented as the wiser path.
15 passages · 5 traditions
Certainly there is nothing better, than for a man to confine himself to necessary actions; to such and so many only, as reason in a creature that knows itself born for society, will command and enjoin. This will not only procure that cheerfulness, which from the goodness, but that also, which from the paucity of actions doth usually proceed.
— Stoicism · Meditations, 4.XX, tr. George Long, 1862 ↗
He who requires much from himself and little from others, will keep himself from being the object of resentment.
— Confucianism · Analects, 15.14, tr. James Legge, 1893 ↗
He who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm; he who stretches his legs does not walk (easily). (So), he who displays himself does not shine; he who asserts his own views is not distinguished; he who vaunts himself does not find his merit acknowledged; he who is self-conceited has no superiority allowed to him.
Therefore the sage desires what (other men) do not desire, and does not prize things difficult to get; he learns what (other men) do not learn, and turns back to what the multitude of men have passed by.
He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty. He who is satisfied with his lot is rich; he who goes on acting with energy has a (firm) will.
Who is wise? He who learns from every man. Who is mighty? He who subdues his [evil] inclination. Who is rich? He who rejoices in his lot. Who is he that is honored? He who honors his fellow human beings.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 4.4:1, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
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The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
— Hebrew & Christian Bible · Bible, Ecclesiastes.Ecclesiastes 5:12, tr. King James Version (1611/1769), 1611 ↗
I have three precious things which I prize and hold fast. The first is gentleness; the second is economy; and the third is shrinking from taking precedence of others. With that gentleness I can be bold; with that economy I can be liberal; shrinking from taking precedence of others, I can become a vessel of the highest honour.
It is better to leave a vessel unfilled, than to attempt to carry it when it is full. If you keep feeling a point that has been sharpened, the point cannot long preserve its sharpness.
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
— Hebrew & Christian Bible · Bible, Ecclesiastes.Ecclesiastes 4:6, tr. King James Version (1611/1769), 1611 ↗
There is no guilt greater than to sanction ambition; no calamity greater than to be discontented with one's lot; no fault greater than the wish to be getting. Therefore the sufficiency of contentment is an enduring and unchanging sufficiency.
When wealth and honours lead to arrogancy, this brings its evil on itself. When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished, to withdraw into obscurity is the way of Heaven.
love work, hate acting the superior, and do not attempt to draw near to the ruling authority.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 1.1:10, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.
— Confucianism · Analects, 11.15, tr. James Legge, 1893 ↗
The Great man abides by what is solid, and eschews what is flimsy; dwells with the fruit and not with the flower. It is thus that he puts away the one and makes choice of the other.
The quiet leader who claims nothing
Those who lead without display, serve without self-promotion, and accomplish without claiming credit attain the deepest authority.
17 passages · 5 traditions
Now much time and leisure doth he gain, who is not curious to know what his neighbour hath said, or hath done, or hath attempted, but only what he doth himself, that it may be just and holy.
— Stoicism · Meditations, 4.XV, tr. George Long, 1862 ↗
Do not seek greatness for yourself, and do not covet honor. Practice more than you learn. Do not yearn for the table of kings, for your table is greater than their table, and your crown is greater than their crown, and faithful is your employer to pay you the reward of your labor.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 6.6:5, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
When a prince's personal conduct is correct, his government is effective without the issuing of orders. If his personal conduct is not correct, he may issue orders, but they will not be followed.
— Confucianism · Analects, 13.6, tr. James Legge, 1893 ↗
If a minister make his own conduct correct, what difficulty will he have in assisting in government? If he cannot rectify himself, what has he to do with rectifying others?
— Confucianism · Analects, 13.13, tr. James Legge, 1893 ↗
The sage knows (these things) of himself, but does not parade (his knowledge); loves, but does not (appear to set a) value on, himself. And thus he puts the latter alternative away and makes choice of the former.
A skilful (commander) strikes a decisive blow, and stops. He does not dare (by continuing his operations) to assert and complete his mastery. He will strike the blow, but will be on his guard against being vain or boastful or arrogant in consequence of it. He strikes it as a matter of necessity; he strikes it, but not from a wish for mastery.
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Never esteem of anything as profitable, which shall ever constrain thee either to break thy faith, or to lose thy modesty; to hate any man, to suspect, to curse, to dissemble, to lust after anything, that requireth the secret of walls or veils.
— Stoicism · Meditations, 3.VIII, tr. George Long, 1862 ↗
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
— Hebrew & Christian Bible · Bible, Matthew.Matthew 6:3-4, tr. King James Version (1611/1769), 1611 ↗
What the superior man seeks, is in himself. What the mean man seeks, is in others.
— Confucianism · Analects, 15.20, tr. James Legge, 1893 ↗
He is free from self-display, and therefore he shines; from self-assertion, and therefore he is distinguished; from self-boasting, and therefore his merit is acknowledged; from self-complacency, and therefore he acquires superiority. It is because he is thus free from striving that therefore no one in the world is able to strive with him.
Though he has his place above them, men do not feel his weight, nor though he has his place before them, do they feel it an injury to them. Therefore all in the world delight to exalt him and do not weary of him. Because he does not strive, no one finds it possible to strive with him.
Therefore the sage puts his own person last, and yet it is found in the foremost place; he treats his person as if it were foreign to him, and yet that person is preserved. Is it not because he has no personal and private ends, that therefore such ends are realised?
— Taoism · Tao Te Ching, 1-8.7, tr. James Legge, 1891 ↗
Therefore the (ruling) sage acts without claiming the results as his; he achieves his merit and does not rest (arrogantly) in it:--he does not wish to display his superiority.
I will do nothing (of purpose), and the people will be transformed of themselves; I will be fond of keeping still, and the people will of themselves become correct. I will take no trouble about it, and the people will of themselves become rich; I will manifest no ambition, and the people will of themselves attain to the primitive simplicity.
That whereby the rivers and seas are able to receive the homage and tribute of all the valley streams, is their skill in being lower than they;--it is thus that they are the kings of them all. So it is that the sage (ruler), wishing to be above men, puts himself by his words below them, and, wishing to be before them, places his person behind them.
When its work is accomplished, it does not claim the name of having done it. It clothes all things as with a garment, and makes no assumption of being their lord. Hence the sage is able (in the same way) to accomplish his great achievements. It is through his not making himself great that he can accomplish them.
When thou hast done well, and another is benefited by thy action, must thou like a very fool look for a third thing besides, as that it may appear unto others also that thou hast done well, or that thou mayest in time, receive one good turn for another? No man useth to be weary of that which is beneficial unto him. But every action according to nature, is beneficial. Be not weary then of doing that which is beneficial unto thee, whilst it is so unto others.
— Stoicism · Meditations, 7.XLIII, tr. George Long, 1862 ↗
Learning enacted, not merely held
Knowledge, study, and wisdom only have worth when they are actively practiced and embodied in daily conduct.
16 passages · 3 traditions
Let a wise man blow off the impurities of his self, as a smith blows off the impurities of silver one by one, little by little, and from time to time.
— Buddhism · Dhammapada, 18.v.239, tr. F. Max Müller, 1881 ↗
whoever takes upon himself the yoke of the Torah, they remove from him the yoke of government and the yoke of worldly concerns, and whoever breaks off from himself the yoke of the Torah, they place upon him the yoke of government and the yoke of worldly concerns.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 3.3:5, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
Excellent is the study of the Torah when combined with a worldly occupation, for toil in them both keeps sin out of one's mind; But [study of the] Torah which is not combined with a worldly occupation, in the end comes to be neglected and becomes the cause of sin.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 2.2:2, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
Whoever occupies himself with the Torah for its own sake, merits many things; not only that but he is worth the whole world. He is called beloved friend; one that loves God; one that loves humankind; one that gladdens God; one that gladdens humankind. And the Torah clothes him in humility and reverence, and equips him to be righteous, pious, upright and trustworthy; it keeps him far from sin, and brings him near to merit.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 6.6:1, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
There are three crowns: the crown of Torah, the crown of priesthood, and the crown of royalty, but the crown of a good name supersedes them all.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 4.4:13, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
A man who has learnt little, grows old like an ox; his flesh grows, but his knowledge does not grow.
— Buddhism · Dhammapada, 11.v.152, tr. F. Max Müller, 1881 ↗
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He was of an active nature and yet fond of learning, and he was not ashamed to ask and learn of his inferiors!
— Confucianism · Analects, 5.14, tr. James Legge, 1893 ↗
If you have learned much Torah, do not claim credit for yourself, because for such a purpose were you created.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 2.2:8, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
one who makes his name great causes his name to be destroyed; one who does not add [to his knowledge] causes [it] to cease; one who does not study [the Torah] deserves death; one who makes [unworthy] use of the crown [of learning] shall pass away.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 1.1:13, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
Where there is no Torah, there is no right conduct; where there is no right conduct, there is no Torah. Where there is no wisdom, there is no fear of God; where there is no fear of God, there is no wisdom. Where there is no bread, there is no Torah; where there is no Torah, there is no bread.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 3.3:17, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
Turn it over, and [again] turn it over, for all is therein. And look into it; And become gray and old therein; And do not move away from it, for you have no better portion than it.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 5.5:22, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
make your [study of the] Torah a fixed practice; speak little, but do much; and receive all men with a pleasant countenance.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 1.1:15, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
One who learns from his fellow one chapter, or one halakhah, or one verse, or one word, or even one letter, is obligated to treat him with honor.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 6.6:3, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
Such is the way [of a life] of Torah: you shall eat bread with salt, and rationed water shall you drink; you shall sleep on the ground, your life will be one of privation, and in Torah shall you labor. If you do this, "Happy shall you be and it shall be good for you": "Happy shall you be" in this world, "and it shall be good for you" in the world to come.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 6.6:4, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗
Without knowledge there is no meditation, without meditation there is no knowledge: he who has knowledge and meditation is near unto Nirvana.
— Buddhism · Dhammapada, 25.v.372, tr. F. Max Müller, 1881 ↗
He who learns in order to teach, it is granted to him to study and to teach; But he who learns in order to practice, it is granted to him to learn and to teach and to practice.
— Rabbinic Judaism · Pirkei Avot, 4.4:5, tr. Sefaria (CC-BY), 2024 ↗