ט֤וֹב אֶ֣רֶךְ אַ֭פַּיִם מִגִּבּ֑וֹר וּמֹשֵׁ֥ל בְּ֝רוּח֗וֹ מִלֹּכֵ֥ד עִֽיר׃
Orang yang panjang sabar lebih baik daripada seorang pahlawan, dan orang yang menguasai dirinya lebih baik daripada orang yang merebut sebuah kota.
Otzar Midrashim
One day, Saliq, now thirty years old, departed from his home dressed in fine clothing. And he went to see the markets. He walked until he grew hungry and thirsty. He heard a water vendor shout and say "Bottles of rose water mixed with cold water for a parched throat (Proverbs 25:25) for one kaskas (coin)." And the vendor's family members were there saying "Happy are those who drink!" Saliq gestured to the water vendor and when he came over [Saliq] said "sell one to me." [The vendor] said to him "give me a kaskas (coin) and you may drink the water." [Saliq] replied "but I am a scholar, am I not worthy to be given some water?" [The vendor] said "if you are wise, you are wise for yourself" (Proverbs 9:12). [Saliq] replied "I am a man of thirty years who has rigorously studied Torah, am I not worthy to be given the water?" [The vendor] said "if you have studied much Torah, do not assume any favor for yourself because for this you were created. You have been blessed by God to rigorously study Torah. As for me, God created me to draw water and suffer on my shoulders and sell and support my family."
Midrash Lekach Tov
"The one who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and the one who rules his spirit is better than one who captures a city." (Proverbs 16:32)
Bereshit Rabbah
“And will give me bread to eat, and a garment to wear” (Genesis 28:20) – Akilas the proselyte entered to Rabbi Eliezer, he said to him: ‘Is this all the benefit of the proselyte, as it is stated: “And loves the stranger, to give him food and a garment”?’ (Deuteronomy 10:18). He said to him: ‘Is it insignificant in your eyes, the item regarding which this elder pondered, as it is stated: “And will give me bread to eat, and a garment to wear”? But this proselyte comes and He extends it to him on a reed.’12With no effort on his part. He entered to Rabbi Yehoshua.
[Variant reading: Akilas the proselyte came and asked Rabbi Eliezer, he said to him: ‘The fondness that the Holy One blessed be He was fond of the proselyte, as it is stated: “And loves the stranger, to give him food and a garment.” How many peacocks do I have, how many pheasants do I have? I pay no attention even to my servants.’ He reprimanded him, and he went to Rabbi Yehoshua. His students said to him: ‘The item regarding which this elder pondered, you extend it to him on a reed? He came before Rabbi Yehoshua].
He began placating him with words: “Bread” – this is Torah, as it is written: “Come, partake of my bread” (Proverbs 9:5). “Garment” – this is a cloak. If a person merits Torah, he merits a cloak.13The cloak of a Torah scholar. Moreover, they marry their daughters into the priesthood, and their descendants were High Priests and would offer up burnt offerings upon the altar.
Another matter, “bread” – this is the showbread; “and a garment” – these are the priestly vestments. That was in the Temple, but in the outlying areas, “bread” – this is ḥalla, “and a garment” – these are the first shearing. They said: ‘Were it not for the forbearance that Rabbi Yehoshua demonstrated with Akilas the proselyte, he would have returned to his evil ways. He read in his regard: “One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty”’ (Proverbs 16:32).
[Variant reading: Akilas the proselyte came and asked Rabbi Eliezer, he said to him: ‘The fondness that the Holy One blessed be He was fond of the proselyte, as it is stated: “And loves the stranger, to give him food and a garment.” How many peacocks do I have, how many pheasants do I have? I pay no attention even to my servants.’ He reprimanded him, and he went to Rabbi Yehoshua. His students said to him: ‘The item regarding which this elder pondered, you extend it to him on a reed? He came before Rabbi Yehoshua].
He began placating him with words: “Bread” – this is Torah, as it is written: “Come, partake of my bread” (Proverbs 9:5). “Garment” – this is a cloak. If a person merits Torah, he merits a cloak.13The cloak of a Torah scholar. Moreover, they marry their daughters into the priesthood, and their descendants were High Priests and would offer up burnt offerings upon the altar.
Another matter, “bread” – this is the showbread; “and a garment” – these are the priestly vestments. That was in the Temple, but in the outlying areas, “bread” – this is ḥalla, “and a garment” – these are the first shearing. They said: ‘Were it not for the forbearance that Rabbi Yehoshua demonstrated with Akilas the proselyte, he would have returned to his evil ways. He read in his regard: “One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty”’ (Proverbs 16:32).