Midrash for Proverbs 17:14

(Ib. b) R. Simon b. Menasia says: "If two come with a case before you, prior to the hearing of their claims, and even thereafter, but before you are aware which way the judgment will incline, you may say to them: 'Go and arbitrate between yourselves.' But after you have heard their case and are aware which way the judgment inclines, you must not [advise them to] go out and arbitrate, as it is said (Prov. 27, 14). As one letteth loose [a stream] of water, so is the beginning of strife; therefore, before it be enkindled, leave off the contest; i.e., before it be enkindled, you may [advise them to] leave off, but after the contest had been enkindled you must not [advise them to] leave off." Resh Lakish said: "If two persons came with a case before you, one being mighty [who can harm you] and the other lenient, before you heard their case, or even thereafter, but before you are aware which way the judgment inclines, you may say to them, 'I am not obligated to judge you,' because of fear that if the mighty loses he will pursue you. But after you had heard their cases, and are aware which way the judgment inclines, then you must not say, 'I am not obligated to judge you,' because it is said (Deut. 1, 17) Ye shall not be afraid of any man."

R. Hamnuna said: "The first account for which a man is called to justice after he dies is concerning studying the Torah, as it is said (Ps. 17, 14) As one letteth loose [a stream] of water, so is the beginning of strife." R. Huna said: "Strife is likened to an inroad made by a burst [of water], once entering it, it widens more and more."

It happened once that R. Tarphon and the elders were sitting in the house Net-za, in Lud, when the following question was submitted to them: "What is greater, study or actions?" R. Tarphon answered that action is greater, while R. Akiba answered that study is greater. Whereupon all of them answered and said that study is greater, for study may lead a man always to the right actions. We are taught in a Baraitha, R. Joseph says: "Study is great, for it preceded the commandment of Chala with forty years and that of T'ruma and Tithes with fifty-four years and that of Sabbathical years with sixty-one and that of a Jubilee year with a hundred and three years." Is it only one hundred and three? Behold, it is one hundred and four preceding the Jubilee year? This Tanna holds that the Jubilee year is in the very beginning of the fiftieth year. Just as study is preferred to acts, so also does the sentence of man, concerning the study of Torah, precede that of actions, as R. Hamnuna said; for R. Hamnuna said: "The first thing for which a man is called to account is concerning the words of the Torah, as it is said (Pr. 17, 14) As one letleth loose a stream of water, so is the beginning of strife! and just as he is called to account first on the Torah, so also is one rewarded first for studying the Torah, as it is said (Ps. 105, 44) And He gave them the land of nations; and the labor of people, they obtained as an inheritance."