Ethics of the Fathers: Chapter 4 Mishnah 3 (1-6) – summary

Ethics of the Fathers: Chapter 4 Mishnah 3 (1) Ben Azzai used to say: Do not be scornful of any person, and do not be disdainful of anything, for you have no person without his hour, and you have no thing without its place. Avot 4:3 Ethics of the Fathers: Chapter 4 Mishnah 3 (2) Do not be scornful of any person – One must not insult people, verbally or otherwise. Rashi Ethics of the Fathers: Chapter 4 Mishnah 3 (3) Do not be scornful of any (kol) person – Do not debase the entire (kol) person on the basis of a particular character flaw. There is no person who does not have redeeming value, and one should never dismiss him based on one fault. Mussar Avot Ethics of the Fathers: Chapter 4 Mishnah 3 (4) Do not be disdainful of anything – Even such seemingly insignificant and repulsive creatures as insects play a role in the world purifying the air of microbes, thus enhancing the quality of life for all living creatures. Tiferet Yisrael Ethics of the Fathers: Chapter 4 Mishnah 3 (5) For you have no person without his hour – There is no person without a moment when his whole life can assume new meaning and direction. Avodat Yisrael Ethics of the Fathers: Chapter 4 Mishnah 3 (6) You have no thing without its place – All bits of knowledge are precious; never deem any tidbit of knowledge irrelevant, for it may sooner or later prove itself useful. Rashi