Page:Hebrew tales; selected and translated from the writings of the ancient Hebrew sages (1917).djvu/97

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Hebrew Tales
93

what the proverb says,—He that steals from the dishonest, partakes of their plunder?" Intimating that we must act honestly, even toward those who injure us. Huna, although rich, powerful, and learned, was not ashamed to acknowledge his fault. He repaired his past errors, and thanked the wise men for the moral lesson they gave him.

Berakot, 5b.


Scrupulous Honesty—Exemplified in the Conduct of Rabbi Saphra

Rabbi Saphra wished to dispose of one of his estates, for which he asked a certain price. An individual who had an inclination to purchase it, made him an offer, which, being much less than the real value of the estate, was refused. Some time after, the Rabbi, being in want of money, resolved in his mind to accept the sum offered. In the interim, the individual who had made the offer, desirous of possessing the estate, and ignorant of the Rabbi's determination, came and proposed to give him the sum first demanded. But the good Saphra refused to take it. "I have," said he, "made up my mind before thou camest, to take the sum thou didst first offer; give it me, and I shall be satisfied;