50 Talmud Quotes to Guide You on Life’s Journey

By Norbert Juma

Master quote curator and editor on a mission to inspire

Published May 15, 2023

Talmud quotes are widely shared among the Jews, as the term Talmud is sacred to them.

If you are interested in reading and sharing the best Talmud quotes, this article is a great option for you.

Apart from our quotes section, we have also discussed what Talmud is, its history, and its importance.

So, if interested, please continue reading!

You may also enjoy reading these related articles:

What is Talmud?

The term Talmud is a central text in Judaism.

It contains discussions and teachings on Jewish ethics, customs, history, and law.

Therefore, Talmud stands among the essential works in Jewish literature.

It is a collection of writings that contains Mishnah and the Gemara.

Here, the Mishnah talks about Jewish oral law.

On the other hand, Gemara is a commentary on the Mishnah, which was compiled over several centuries.

The Talmud is further divided into two major parts including:

The Babylonian Talmud
The Jerusalem Talmud

Among these two, the Babylonian Talmud is studied and considered more authoritative.

History

The history of the Talmud is complex and long.

It dates back to the Second Temple period.

This was the time when Jewish law was passed from one generation to another via oral tradition.

Hence, it is known as oral Jewish law.

Eventually, Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi wrote down this law in the Mishnah during the 2nd century CE.

Teachings of Talmud

The Talmud talks about a vast array of topics, including:

Legal issues
Ethical aspects
Stories
Legends from Jewish history

There are six different orders or Sedarims of Talmud.

These are further divided into Masechtot or Tractates.

A few of the most prominent laws associated with Talmud include the following:

Sabbath observance
Prayer
Dietary restrictions

The Talmud also contains legends and stories from Jewish history, such as:

The story of the creation of the world
The story of Abraham and Isaac
The story of the Exodus from Egypt

With these stories, the Talmud offers relevant context for debates and discussions.

Talmud and its Importance for Jews

The Talmud is an incredibly important text when it comes to Jewish tradition.

In addition, it is a source of wisdom and inspiration for Jews.

For centuries, Talmud served as a powerful tool for scholars and students.

It tends to be a central text in Jewish practice and learning.

Besides, it is an important historical and cultural document offering necessary insights into the beliefs and lives of the Jewish people.

Jewish practices and thoughts influence the stories and teachings provided in this textMaimonides Quotes to Enhance Your Wisdom.

Top 10 Talmud Quotes

Read the top 10 Talmud quotes to calm your mind and spirit.

1. “Always acknowledge the truth.” — Talmud

2. “Actions speak louder than words.” — Talmud

3. “The servant of a King is like a King.” — Talmud

4. “A penny in an empty box rattles loudly.” — Talmud

5. “Adversity is the true school of the mind.” — Talmud

6. “A town which has no school should be abolished.” — Talmud

7. “A son must, if necessary, feed and support his parents.” — Talmud

8. “A quotation at the right moment is like bread to the famished.” — Talmud

9. “If your friend calls you a donkey, prepare a saddle for your back.” — Talmud

10. “A dream which is not interpreted is like a letter which is not read.” — Talmud

Talmud Quotes about Man

In the Holy Talmud, man is described and directed in detail. Benefit from reading wise words on the subject in the quotes below.

11. “A man commits sin in secret, but the Holy One proclaims it openly.” — Talmud

12. “A man should be careful not to afflict his wife, for God counts her tears.” — Talmud

13. “A man should endeavor to be as pliant as a reed, and never unyielding like the cedar.” — Talmud

14. “A man’s wife has scarcely breathed her last when another is waiting to take her place.” — Talmud

15. “A man’s merits should be fully stated in his absence, but only partially in his presence.” — Talmud

16. “A handsome dwelling, a pretty wife, and beautiful furniture exert a cheering influence upon a man’s spirits.” — Talmud

17. “A man may be known by three things: by his conduct in money matters, his behavior at the table, and his demeanor when angry.” — Talmud

18. “Greater even than the pious man is he who eats that which is the fruit of his own toil; for scripture declares him twice-blessed.” — Talmud

19. “Let every man divide his money into three parts, and invest a third in land, a third in business, and a third let him keep by him in reserve.” — Talmud

20. “Man has three friends on whose company he relies. First, wealth goes with him only while good fortune lasts. Second, his relatives go only as far as the grave and leave him there. The third friend, his good deeds, go with him beyond the grave.” — Talmud

Talmud Quotes On Love And Marriage

According to the Talmud, Jewish marriages are characterized by mutual respect and love. To get a better idea on this, check out the following quotes.

21. “A true wife makes the home a holy place.” — Talmud

22. “If your wife is short, bend down and whisper to her.” — Talmud

23. “One who takes revenge due to his zealotry destroys his own house.” — Talmud

24. “A woman prefers poverty with the affection of her husband to riches without it.” — Talmud

25. “All the blessings of a household come through the wife, therefore should her husband honor her.” — Talmud

26. “A husband and wife are one soul, separated only through their descent to this world. When they are married, they have reunited again.” — Talmud

27. “A man should eat and drink less than his means, clothe himself according to his means, and honor his wife and children beyond his means.” — Talmud

28. “When our love was strong, we could have lain on the blade of a sword. Now that our love is not strong, a bed of sixty cubits is insufficient.” — Talmud

29. “Any love that depends on a specific cause, when that cause is gone, the love is gone; but if it does not depend on a specific cause, it will never cease.” — Talmud

30. “Know that this union is holy and pure when properly conducted in the proper time and with the proper intention… God has created everything according to His wisdom, and has not created things to be ugly or shameful.” — Talmud

Talmud Quotes About God

Here are some of the most important quotes from the Talmud Jewish scripture addressing God.

31. “Teach me the whole Torah while I stand on one foot.” — Talmud

32. “He who unjustly hands over one man’s goods to another, he shall pay God for it with his own soul.” — Talmud

33. “There are three who are especially beloved by God: he who is forbearing, he who is temperate, and he who is courteous.” — Talmud

34. “While the son honors his parents, God holds it as if He were dwelling near the child, and were Himself receiving the honor.” — Talmud

35. “Whosoever engages in the study of the Law, and does not practice benevolence, is to be compared to a man who has no God.” — Talmud

36. “He who devotes himself to the mere study of religion without engaging in works of love and mercy is like one who has no God.” — Talmud

37. “Just as the soul bears the body, so God endures the world. Just as the soul sees but is not seen, so God sees but is not seen.” — Talmud

38. “Charitable people silence the complaints of the poor. God says to these pious ones: ‘By your liberality, you reconcile the poor man with Me; you make peace between us.’” — Talmud

39. “A child must love and honor his parents while they are living, and must love and respect them after they are dead; and as they loved and honored God, he must love and honor God, and thus make his parents live again in his good deeds.” — Talmud

40. “Whosoever does not persecute them that persecute him; whosoever takes an offense in silence; he who does good because of love; he who is cheerful under his sufferings — these are the friends of God, and of them, the Scripture says: ‘They shall shine forth like the sun at noontide.’” — Talmud

Inspirational Talmud Quotes

If you’re feeling lost and bewildered, the Talmud can be a fantastic source of inspiration. Check out some of the inspiring quotes from this classic book.

41. “A scholar is greater than a prophet.” — Talmud

42. “A thing to which a fool does not consent, know as the right thing.” — Talmud

43. “Do not celebrate among the mourners, and do not weep among revelers.” — Talmud

44. “Every blade of grass has the Angel that bends over it and whispers, Grow, Grow.” — Talmud

45. “The liar’s punishment is that even when he speaks the truth, no one believes him.” — Talmud

46. “A legal decision depends not on the teacher’s age, but on the force of his argument.” — Talmud

47. “There is no community where everyone is rich; neither is there a community where everyone is poor.” — Talmud

48. “A person will be called to account on Judgment Day for every permissible thing he might have enjoyed but did not.” — Talmud

49. “Whoever destroys a soul, it is considered as if he destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world.” — Talmud

50. “There are stars whose light only reaches the earth long after they have fallen apart. There are people who’s remembrance gives the light in this world long after they have passed away. This light shines in our darkest nights on the road we must follow.” — Talmud