Some rabbinic teaching comes as narrative. Some comes as argument. And some comes as short, edged sentences that land like stones. Here is a handful from the Proverbial Sayings and Traditions of the midrash.
Poverty sits as gracefully upon some people as a red saddle upon a white horse. Dignity is not a function of means.
Drain not the waters of thy well while other people may desire them. Take your share; leave the rest.
The doctor who prescribes gratuitously gives a worthless prescription. What costs nothing is received as nothing.
The rose grows among thorns. Beauty is born in difficulty.
The wine belongs to the master but the waiter receives the thanks. Credit goes to whoever is visible.
He who mixes with unclean things becomes unclean himself; he whose associations are pure becomes more holy with each day. Company shapes the soul.
No man is impatient with his creditors — except when the roles are reversed.
Make but one sale, and thou art called a merchant. Reputation is a single transaction.
Mention not a blemish which is thy own, in detraction of thy neighbor. The finger points at both of you.
He who reads the letter should execute the message. To understand is to be obligated.
A vessel used for holy purposes should not be put to uses less sacred. Consecration does not run backward.
Ornament thyself first, then magnify others. Set your own house in order.
Two pieces of coin in one bag make more noise than a hundred. The emptier the purse, the louder it rattles.
Man sees the mote in his neighbor's eye, but knows not of the beam in his own.
Fourteen sentences. Read slowly, any one of them is enough.