For one commandment leads to another commandment, and transgression leads to another transgression.

“He [Shimon ben Azzai] used to say: Do not despise any man, and do not discriminate against anything, for there is no man that has not his hour and there is no thing that has not its place. Rabbi Levitas, a man of Yavneh, said: “Be an exceeding humble spirit, for the end of man is the worm.”

Tractate of Avot 4:3

We must treat every person with respect and reverence. We should avoid belittling others and try to listen to every philosophy or belief, because they may be useful for us at certain times or places in our lives.

Affability is recognizing that all of creation is good, enabling us to enjoy life and the people around us.

“Ben Azzai said: Be quick in performing a minor commandment, as in the case of a major one, and flee from transgression. For one commandment leads to another commandment, and transgression leads to another transgression. For the reward for performing a commandment is another commandment and the reward for committing a transgression is a transgression.”

Tractate of Avot 4:2

We should ideally observe all of the Torah commandments with the same degree of excitement, regardless of whether they are convenient or easy to execute. Moreover, we should invest great effort into not only performing good actions—but into running away from temptations, as well. One of our main duties is to free ourselves from our egos so that we can strive to positively impact our environment. Performing a good deed leads to the next, and the same is true for our transgressions. Our reward will be determined by the former and our punishments by the latter. It is a privilege to observe God’s commandments—merely fulfilling them is a joy and a blessing.

Proportionality is finding the appropriate response to any situation or challenge; neither too little nor too much.