מדרש על משלי 11:3

R. Chama b. Chanina said: "What is meant by the passage (Songs 2, 3,) Like an apple tree among the trees of the forests? etc. Why has Israel been likened unto an apple tree? Because as an apple tree produces its buds first, and then its leaves, even so Israel said first We will do and then We will listen." A certain Sadducee once noticed that Raba was studying with such eager attention that he held his finger between his knees and rubbed it so hard that blood spurted from the finger. He said to Raba: "Rash people! Whose mouths preceded your ears. You still persist in your impetuousness. Better had you listened first to learn whether you could or could not accept it." Raba thereupon answered: "We who are upright men trust Him, as it is written (Pr. 11, 3.) The integrity of the upright guideth him; only to those who walk in perverse ways, the other half of the passage: But the cunning of the treacherous destroyeth them, can be applied."