2. R. Chanina, the Vice-High-Priest, said, "Pray for the welfare of the government, since but for the fear thereof men would swallow each other alive." 3. R. Chananiah, the son of Teradion, said, "If two sit together and interchange no words of _Torah_, they are a meeting of scorners, concerning whom it is said, 'The godly man sitteth not in the seat of the scorners'; but if two sit together and interchange words of _Torah_, the Divine Presence abides among them; as it is said, 'Then they that feared the Lord spake one with the other; and the Lord hearkened and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before Him, for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.' Now the Scripture enables me to draw this inference in respect to two persons; whence can it be deduced that if even one person sedulously occupies himself with the _Torah_, the Holy One, blessed be He, appoints unto him a reward? Because it is said, 'though he sit alone, and meditate in stillness, yet he taketh it (the reward) upon him.'" 4. R. Simeon said, "If three have eaten at a table and have spoken there no words of _Torah_, it is as if they had eaten of sacrifices to dead idols, of whom it is said, 'For all their tables are full of vomit and filthiness; the All-present is not (in their thoughts).' But if three have eaten at a table and have spoken there words of _Torah_, it is as if they had eaten at the table of the All-present, for Scripture says, 'And he said unto me, This is the table that is before the Lord.'" 5. R. Chanina, the son of Hakinai, said, "He who keeps awake at night, and goes on his way alone, while turning his heart to vanity, such a one forfeits his own life." 6. R. Nechunya, son of ha-Kanah, said, "Whoso receives upon himself the yoke of the _Torah_, from the yoke of the kingdom and the yoke of worldly care will be removed, but whoso breaks off from him the yoke of the _Torah_, upon him will be laid the yoke of the kingdom and the yoke of worldly care." 7. R. Chalafta, the son of Dosa, of the village of Chanania said, "When ten people sit together and occupy themselves with the _Torah_, the _Shechinah_ abides among them, as it is said, 'God standeth in the congregation of the godly.' And whence can it be shown that the same applies to five? Because it is said, 'He hath found his band upon the earth.' And whence can it be shown that the same applies to three? Because it is said, 'He judgeth among the judges.' And whence can it be shown that the same applies to two? Because it is said, 'Then they that feared the Lord spake one with the other; and the Lord hearkened, and heard.' And whence can it be shown that the same applies even to one? Because it is said, 'In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come unto thee and I will bless thee.'"