If I am not for myself, who will be?
If I am not for others, what am 'I'?
If not now, when?
Hillel's sayings:
"The more flesh, the more worms"
"Whoever has acquired the words of the Law has acquired the life of the world to come."
Hillel sounds a warning against neglect of study or its abuse for selfish purposes:
Whoever would make a name (i.e. seek glory of own name) loses the Name;
he who increases not [his knowledge] decreases;
whoever learns not [ "who does not serve the wise and learn" ] is worthy of death;
whoever makes use of the crown perishes"
(Avot. 1:13) ... 110BCE-10CE
Hillel lived in Jerusalem during the time of King Herod and the Roman Emperor Augustus.
