(1) Rabbi Said: which is the straight path that a man should choose for himself? One which is an honor to the person adopting it, and [on account of which] honor [accrues] to him from others. And be careful with a light commandment as with a grave one, for you did know not the reward for the fulfillment of the commandments. Also, reckon the loss [that may be sustained through the fulfillment] of a commandment against the reward [accruing] thereby, and the gain [that may be obtained through the committing] of a transgression against the loss [entailed] thereby. Apply your mind to three things and you will not come into the clutches of sin: Know what there is above you: an eye that sees, an ear that hears, and all your deeds are written in a book.

(1) After these things the word of Hashem came to Abram in a vision, saying, etc. (Psalms 18:31) "As for God — His ways are perfect; the Word of Hashem is tried; a shield is He for all who take refuge in Him." If His way is perfect, how much more is He Himself! Rav said: Were not the mitzvot given so that man might be refined by them? . Do you really think that The Holy One of Blessing cares if an animal is slaughtered by front or by the back of the neck? Therefore, mitzvot were only given to make humans better.

(2) Ben Azzai said: Be quick in performing a minor commandment as in the case of a major one, and flee from transgression; For one commandment leads to another commandment, and transgression leads to another transgression; For the reward for performing a commandment is another commandment and the reward for committing a transgression is a transgression.

(4) Ben Azzai would say: Run to fulfill even a minor mitzvah.
He would also say: If you have performed only one mitzvah without regrets, it will bring you to [performing] many more mitzvot. But one who commits even one transgression without regrets, it will bring him to many other transgressions. For one mitzvah leads to another, and one transgression leads to another. For the reward for a mitzvah is another commandment, and the punishment for a transgression is another transgression.
He would also say: Stop yourself [from transgressing], so that you are rewarded for your effort. Do not wait for others to stop you, for then they will receive the reward.
He would also say: Take yourself down two or three levels, and then come back. For better that they say to you: Step up! Rather than: Step down!” as it says (Proverbs 25:7), “For it is better to be told: Ascend! than to be degraded in front of nobility.”