Three maxims were given to a man — three simple rules for living — and his obedience to these maxims saved his life. The tale, found in Jewish and comparative folklore collections, demonstrates the life-saving power of wisdom distilled into its simplest form.
A man was given three pieces of advice by a sage. The exact maxims varied by telling, but they typically included warnings such as: "Never take a shortcut through unfamiliar territory." "Never ask questions about things that do not concern you." "Never act in anger."
The man memorized the maxims and went on his way. Over the course of his journey, he encountered three situations in which breaking one of the rules would have seemed reasonable — the shortcut looked safe, the question seemed innocent, the anger seemed justified.
Each time, he remembered the maxim and restrained himself. Each time, he later discovered that following the rule had saved him from catastrophe. The shortcut led to a den of thieves. The innocent question would have revealed a secret that powerful men would have killed to protect. Acting in anger would have destroyed a relationship that later proved essential to his survival.
The sages loved this story format because it illustrated a core teaching: wisdom does not require understanding. The man did not know why the maxims were important when he received them. He followed them on faith — and that faith saved his life. The fool demands explanations before obeying. The wise person obeys first and understands later. The three maxims were not merely good advice. They were Torah in miniature: commandments whose reasons may be hidden, but whose power to protect is absolute.