Hillel the Elder Quotes

If not you, then who? If not now, when?

If I am not for myself, who will be?
If I am for myself alone, who am I?
If not now, when?
And if not you, who?

A name made great is a name destroyed. He who does not increase his knowledge decreases it.

Do nothing to others which if done to you would cause you pain. This is the essence of morality.

One who increases flesh, increases worms; one who increases possessions, increases worry; one who increases wives, increases witchcraft; one who increases maidservants, increases promiscuity; one who increases man-servants, increases thievery; one who increases Torah, increases life; one who increases study, increases wisdom; one who increases counsel, increases understanding; one who increases charity, increases peace.

A boor cannot be sin-fearing, an ignoramus cannot be pious, a bashful one cannot learn, a short-tempered person cannot teach, nor does anyone who does much business grow wise.

אם אין אני לי, מי לי? וכשאני לעצמי, מה אני? ואם לא עכשיו, אימתי?

Do not say "When I have leisure, I will study", perhaps you will not have leisure.

If not now, when? If not you, who?

Do nothing to others which if done to you would cause you pause. This is the essence of morality.

If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?

דעלך סני לחברך לא תעביד. זו היא כל התורה כולה, ואידך פירושה הוא: זיל גמור

Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving your fellow creatures and drawing them near to the Law.

In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man.