A sage, meeting Elijah in the thoroughfare, asked him to reveal the worthiest in the passing throng. First he singled out a turnkey. "He was kind to his prisoners." Next he pointed out two tradesmen. The sage ran to them and said, "Tell me your saving works." They were surprised. "We are only poor workmen, said to be cheerful and good-natured; we sympathize with people in sorrow and we try to reconcile friends who have quarreled. That is all." "Be not cruel to inferiors." "Rather be thrown into a fiery furnace than bring anyone to public shame." "He who declines to tend the sick and he who hateth his neighbor, are as though they shed blood." "Even though thy left hand pushes from thee, let thy right hand draw towards thee." "Hospitality is a form of divine worship." "Cast no stone in the well from which thou hast drunk." "One should not partake of his own meal until his animals are first provided for." "He who has no mercy on dumb animals should himself suffer pain." While Moses was tending the flock of Jethro he noticed a lamb stray from the fold. He followed it; it did not stop until it reached a pool and there its slaked its thirst. "Thou dear innocent creature," said Moses, "had I but known thy wishes, I myself would have borne thee in my arms to the water." So he gently carried it back to the flock. Then was a voice heard from heaven exclaiming: "Moses, thou hast shown such compassion for the dumb sheep, thou art indeed worthy to be the shepherd of the flock of Israel." "Give me your blessing," said R. Nachman to R. Isaac. He replied, "Thy request reminds me of the story of a weary traveler, who, after the day's exhaustion reached a well-watered date tree. Refreshed by its fruit and rested in its shade, he gratefully desired to bestow upon it a blessing. 'What can I wish thee; thou already hast foliage, shade, fruit, water; I can but pray that thy offshoots may flourish like thee,' 'Now, R. Nachman, thou already hast learning, wealth, children; I can only wish that thy descendants may be blessed like thee.'" Charity. "Charity (righteousness) delivereth from death." "Charity is the salt of wealth." "He gives little who gives much with a frown, he gives much who gives little with a smile." "The truly beneficent seek out the poor." "He who closes the door on the poor may have to open it to the physician." "Charity is greater than alms-giving; alms-giving is a duty to the poor only; charity both to rich and poor." "He who gives charity in secret is greater than Moses." "A miser is as wicked as an idolater." "Even he who depends on charity should practise it."