Avos 3:8-9

Avos 3:8

Rabbi Dostai the son of Rabbi Yannai said in the name of Rabbi Meir that if a person forgets even a single word of his Torah studies, the Torah considers it as if he sins against himself as per Deuteronomy 4:9, “Take heed for yourself and diligently guard your soul lest you forget the things that your eyes saw.” This does not include one whose Torah studies were beyond him as the verse continues, “and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life.” We see that one does not sin against himself unless he actively causes the words of Torah to be removed from his heart.

Avos 3:9

Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa said that if a person prioritizes fear of sin over wisdom, his wisdom will endure; if a person prioritizes wisdom over fear of sin, his wisdom will not endure. He used to say that if one’s deeds exceed his wisdom, his wisdom will endure; if one’s wisdom exceeds his deeds, his wisdom will not endure.