He used to say: You are not required to complete the task, yet you are not free to withdraw from it. If you have studied much Torah, they give you great reward; and your Employer can be relied upon to pay you the wage of your labor. But be aware that the reward of the righteous will be given in the World to Come.

Akavia ben Mahalalel says: Consider three things and you will not come into the grip of sin: Know whence you came, whither you go, and before Whom you are destined to give judgment and accounting.  “Whence you came” —- from a putrid drop; “whither you go” —- to a place of dust, worms, and maggots; and “before Whom you are destined to give judgment and ac-counting” —- before the King Who reigns over kings, the Holy One, Blessed is He.