Tractate Soferim
Happy is the man whose labour is in [the study of] the Shas. Not that he should skip Scripture and the Mishnah and come [direct] to the Shas; but he should learn Scripture and Mishnah with the object of coming to the Shas. Of such a person it is stated, The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit.36Prov. 18, 11.