It is correct for a person not to behave only according to the strict letter of the law, but to do the correct thing, for Yerushalayim was only destroyed because they kept to the strict letter of the law of the Torah, as when one does this Hashem also judges them according to the strict letter of the law, and they are therefore found to be guilty. It is of course true that one who takes money from another which he is entitled to according to the letter of the law, but it is not the correct thing to do, that he will end up being punished and found guilty in the laws of heaven. An example of this is if one deposits something with someone else, and it is lost or stolen, then even in the case that according to the law he is obligated to pay, it is unethical to cause him a loss because of the kindness that he performed without having committed any crime. It follows that one who wants to perform the right and correct thing, will take advice from a learned man, and if there is no one with whom he can consult, he should consult his Creator, and think how he would feel if the roles had been reversed, and his friend was claiming from him, would he think that it was right and correct. A person’s character can be judged by his “purse” (how he uses his money), and he should not regard only money, for money that comes undeservedly, will end up as a loss.

A person must also be very careful to always be honest when it comes to his learning, and not take a crooked or far-fetched path when it comes to trying to reinforce his ideas, for such a method of studying is not acceptable. About an honest person, who goes and runs his life according to what is correct, and admits the truth (even when he has been proved wrong), is said “Fortunate is he whose oil is in Torah and who creates happiness for his Creator”, and these are the people who increase peace in the world.