Gittin6

1(Fol. 67) We are taught in a Baraitha, Issi b. Juda would enumerate the qualities of the sages. R. Maier is a scholar and a scribe; R. Juda is only a scholar when he wants; R. Tarphon is like a heap of nuts [so abundant are his mental capacities]; R. Akiba is a packed treasury of knowledge; R. Jochanan is like a spice dealer's basket, [ready in all branches of study]; R. Eliezer b. Azaria is like a spice box; The Mishmahs (traditions) of Eliezer b. Jacob is only Kab (little in quantity), but well sifted (pure quality); R. Joshi possesses a deep reasoning; R. Simon grinds (studies a great deal) and brings forth a little." We are taught in a Baraitha that this means he forgets a little and what he does forget are only such things which are likened to bran. So also said R. Simon to his disciples: "My children, copy my customs, for my customs are selected from the best customs of R. Akiba."