Translation:Mishnah/Seder Nezikin/Tractate Avot/Chapter 1/13

Introduction

This Mishnah continues the sayings of Hillel begun in Mishnah 12.

Hebrew Text

הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר:
נְגַד שְׁמָא, אֲבַד שְׁמֵהּ.
וּדְלָא מוֹסִיף, יָסֵיף.
וּדְלָא יָלֵיף, קְטָלָא חַיָּב.
וּדְאִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בְּתַגָּא, חֳלָף.

English Translation

He [also] used to say:
A name made widespread [eventually] loses its fame.
And one who does not increase [his knowledge] causes [it] to decrease.
And one who does not study [the Torah] is liable to die.
And one who makes [unworthy] use of the crown [of learning] passes away.