Well-known Sayings
The tractate includes several of the most frequently-quoted rabbinic sayings, such as "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And when I am for myself, what am 'I'? And if not now, when?" (Avot 1:14). It is written in simple and terse Hebrew and is attributed to the great sage Hillel, who was famous for succinct expression.
Another famous saying: "It is not incumbent upon you to complete the work, but neither are you at liberty to desist from it" (Avot 2:21) attributed to Rabbi Tarfon. Also attributed to Rabbi Tarfon: "The day is short, the labor vast, the toilers idle, the reward great, and the Master of the house is insistent." (Avot 2:20)
Read more about this topic: Pirkei Avot
Famous quotes containing the words well-known and/or sayings:
“Nature is an endless combination and repetition of a very few laws. She hums the old well-known air through innumerable variations.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“To speak impartially, both sayings are very true: that man to man is a kind of God; and that man to man is an arrant wolf. The first is true, if we compare citizens amongst themselves; and the second, if we compare cities.”
—Thomas Hobbes (1579–1688)