Likutei Moharan 37:5/ליקוטי מוהר"ן ל״ז:ה׳

15. This is the explanation of the three warnings that Rabbi Yehudah the son of Beteira of Netzivin issued: Be mindful of the elderly sage who has forgotten his studies due to hardships; be mindful of the veins, in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehudah; be mindful of the sons of the ignorant, for Torah will issue from them (Sanhedrin 96a).

2For all these three aspects allude to the soul’s ascent, the intellect, the Torah and the memory.

3The elderly sage who forgot his studies due to his hardships corresponds to death and foolishness due to forgetfulness. However, the Torah pardons one who is under duress, and Rabbi Yehudah warned that he be honored. For through honor, his forgetfulness is eliminated and the soul is revealed—i.e., the Torah is recalled. This is because the root of the Torah is God’s glory, as in, “whom I have created for My glory….” And as our Sages taught: Honor is due only for Torah (Avot 6:3).