Avos 2:2-3

Avos 2:2

Rabban Gamliel the son of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said that it’s good to study Torah in combination with engaging in a profession because occupying oneself with both of these things distracts a person from sin. The study of Torah when not combined with some other occupation ultimately leads to nothing and causes one to sin. All those who engage in communal affairs should do so for the sake of Heaven (i.e., altruistically) because their ancestors’ merits will assist them and their righteousness will last forever. Those who encourage others to engage in this mitzvah are rewarded as if they had performed the mitzvah themselves.

Avos 2:3

Rabban Gamliel the son of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi continues that we should be cautious when dealing with the authorities because they only befriend a person for their own advantage. They act like friends when it suits them but they don’t stand by a person in his times of trouble.