Midrasch zu Mischlej 27:24

Resh Lakish said: "If one appoints a judge who is not fit to be such, he is considered as if he were planting a grove in Israel, as it is said (Deut. 16, 18) Judges and officers shalt thou appoint unto thyself; and immediately after this it is said: "Thou shalt not plant unto thyself a grove — any tree." R. Ashi added: "And if this were done in places where scholars were to be found, it is considered as if it would have been done at the altar; as it is said after this: Near the altar of the Lord thy God." . It is written (Ex. 20, 23) Gods of silver and gods of gold, etc. Is it only prohibited concerning gods of silver, and of wood is it permissible? R. Ashi said: "This refers to a judge who is appointed through the influence of silver and gold." Whenever Rab went to hold court, he said: "Of my own free will I go to meet death, (Divine punishment for wrong judgment), but the necessities of my household I do not attend (I neglect my own affairs); empty handed I come to my home again. O! were I but as clean when I leave as when I entered it!" When he noticed a crowd escorting him, he would say: (Job 20, 6-7) "Though his exaltation should mount up to the heavens, and his head should reach unto the clouds, yet when he but turneth round will he vanish forever." Mar Zutra, the Pious, when he was carried on the shoulders of his followers on the Sabbath before the festivals used to say (Prov. 27, 24): For strength endureth not forever, nor doth the crown remain for all generations."

Whenever Rab went to hold court, he said: "Of his own free will he [refering to himself] goes to meet death (divine punishment for wrong judgment), but the desire of his household he does not do (he neglects his own affairs); empty handed he comes to his home again. Naked, I entered the world, and naked I shall leave it. O! Were I but as clean when I leave as when I entered it!" (Fol. 87) When he noticed a crowd escorting him, he would say (Job 20, 6-7) Though his exaltation should mount up to the heavens, and his head should reach unto the clouds, yet when he but turneth round will be vanished forever; those who have seen him, will say: 'Where is he?'" When the people on the first Sabbath of the season carried Mar Zutra, the pious, on a chair upon their shoulders, he would say (Pr. 29, 24) "For strength endureth not forever."