Do not be daunted
by the enormity
of the world’s grief.
Do justly, now.
Love mercy, now.
Walk humbly, now.
You are not obligated
to complete the work,
but neither are you free
to abandon it.
Commonly attributed to The Talmud. Attributed here to Annesley William Streane (1844-1915), a Cambridge scholar and Old Testament translator and commentator.
This source attributes the quote to Rabbi Tarfon, in the Pirkei Avot, commenting on Micah 6:8. See also this reddit thread. So I suppose the quote must be from Streane’s translation of Tarfon’s commentary.
Either way, it’s a beautiful passage.
Multo (Ghost) 
Yes: wise and inspiring sentiments, whatever the source.
It’s something that speaks to many people right now, I think….
And, broadly speaking, “the work” as it is understood in Jewish thought is to “repair the world.”
Perfectly timed, Nina. Thank you.
Thank you, as always, for your comment — it is a quote that feels especially apropos right now.