CHAPTER IV

All Israel have a portion in the world to come, and it is said, "And
thy people shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land for
ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be
glorified".

1. Ben Zoma (1) said, "Who is wise? He who learns from all men, as it
is said, 'from all my teachers have I gotten understanding' (2). Who
is mighty? He who controls his passions, as it is said, 'He that is
slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth over his
spirit than he that taketh a city' (3). Who is rich? He who rejoices
in his portion, as it is said, 'When thou eatest the labor of thine
hands, happy art thou, and it shall be well with thee' (4); happy art
thou in this world, and it shall be well with thee in the world to
come. Who is honored? He who honors others, as it is said, 'For them
that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be held in
contempt'" (5).

(1) Simon ben Zoma and Simon ben Azzai, _Tannaim_ of the
second century, were generally known as ben Zoma and ben
Azzai, as they never received the title of Rabbi, according to
one view. According to another opinion, they were called by
their fathers' names, because they both died young. Together
with Akiba and Elisha ben Abuyah (_Acher_), they entered,
legend says, into the paradise of esoteric knowledge. "Four
(sages)," we are told, "entered paradise, ben Azzai, ben Zoma,
Acher, and Akiba. Ben Azzai looked and died; ben Zoma went
mad; Acher destroyed the plants; Akiba alone came out unhurt"
(_Chagigah_, 14b). The interpretation of this passage is that