Wisdom of Antigonus of Socho

- ח ע מ -

Do not be like servants who serve their master with the expectation of receiving a reward.

“Antigonus, a man of Socho, received [the oral tradition] from Shimon the Righteous. He used to say: Do not be like servants who serve their master with the expectation of receiving a reward; but be like servants who serve their master without the expectation of receiving a reward, and let the fear of heaven be upon you.”

Tractate of Avot 1:3

Our thoughts and actions should not be driven by a desire for reward, but rather by reverence, piety, and love. Ideally, the mere knowledge that we are serving our Creator and ascending spiritually should be enough in our eyes. Our duty is to share and spread our light in a completely selfless manner.

Blessings are multiplied when shared; by sharing, we truly change ourselves and the world for the better.