Rabbi Joshua always advised patience and submission, even under provocation (see pp. 193, 205.) Once he pointed his advice with the apologue of The Lion and the Crane: While devouring prey, the lion got a bone in his throat. He offered a great reward to whomever would remove it. The crane came forward, inserted his long neck down the lion's throat and extracted the bone. He then demanded his reward. "Reward indeed," said the lion; "was it not sufficient reward that I permitted your neck to escape my sacred jaws?" Make the application to Israel. A lover, called from the side of his plighted wife, sent letters to her, faithfully promising to return. Long she waited and many mocked and taunted her. But each time she read her lover's letters, her waning faith was strengthened. Suffering Israel is the maiden; the unseen God her faithful lover; and the Scriptural promises of redemption are His letters. (Compare Akiba story p. 209). Sin. "Put not yourself in the way of temptation, for even David could not resist it." "What the sages have forbidden on account of appearances, is forbidden even in one's innermost chamber." "Commit a sin twice and you will think it sin no more." The first step counts. "Evil passion is at first like a cobweb, and at last like a rope." "The only indication of the Messiah's advent will be the disappearance of oppression." "Beware of evil's small beginnings; Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph led to Israel's Egyptian captivity." "What is the idol man carries within him--his evil passion." "Sinful thoughts are worse than sin." "A sinner is foolish as well as wicked." "The end does not justify the means." "He who deceives his neighbor would deceive God." "He who denies his guilt doubles his guilt." "Sin begets sin." "Ill weeds grow apace; neglect is their gardener." "Slander is a species of murder." "Arrogance is a kingdom without a crown." "The usurer will have no share in the future life." "He who can testify in his neighbor's behalf and does not, is a transgressor." "It is sinful to hate but noble to forgive." "Say not 'sin cometh from God.' He giveth free choice of life and death." "The wicked, even while living, are called dead." R. Simeon said: The whole community must bear the blame of the individual sinner, emphasizing his lesson with this illustration:--Here is a boat-load of passengers. One proceeds to bore a hole through his seat, saying, "I am only piercing my own place." What happens? (Draw the inference.) Repentance. "There is no repentance without reparation."