Midrasch zu Mischlej 13:2

R. Shizbi said in the name of R. Elazar, b, Azaria: "What is meant by the passage (Pr. 12, 27.) The indolent roasteth not that which he hath caught in hunting. He will not live nor last long, the cunning indolent [who strives to study superficially without repeating his learning]." R. Shesheth said: "On the contrary, the cunning indolent will live and last." When R. Dimi came, he said: "This may be likened unto an indolent man who catches birds; if he pinions the wings of each fowl [immediately after he has caught it] , he will retain them, otherwise he will not retain them." Raba, in the name of R. Sechora, who quoted R. Huna, said: "What is meant by the passage (Pr. 13, 2.) Wealth gotten by vain deeds will be diminished; but he that gathered by close labor will increase it. If a man studies in mass (too many subjects at a time) his learning will decrease; but if he gathers it slowly (subject by subject) his learning will increase." "This," said Raba, "the Rabbis have studied [and know it] and yet they transgress it." R. Nachman b. Isaac, however, said: "I acted accordingly and retained my learning."