Sefer HaMiddot, Depression, Part I/ספר המדות·עצבות·חלק ראשון

1A person who has not rectified the sins of his youth is beset with worries.

2A person suffers mainly because of the things he says.

3When you are suffering, talk about it.

4The fear of death befalls a person who carries worries in his heart.

5A person’s humbleness eliminates misfortune and sorrow.

6When a person is depressed, observing the Tzaddikim will bring joy to his heart.

7Entering the house of a gentile leads to depression.

8Depression makes one weak.

9A person’s face changes because of the evil in his heart.

10When you suffer anguish on a day of joy and all your happiness has ceased, you should know that your ancestral merit has expired.

11A depressed person should regularly give gifts to the Tzaddik.

12Depression leads to an outbreak of fires.

13Depression is a sign of some imminent sickness.

14The Holy One does not reside with a person who is depressed.

15Depression causes one to experience a seminal emission.

16Anger leads to depression.

17When a person is depressed, he cannot achieve his goals.

18Depression makes one despised.

19When a person cries, he cannot eat.

20Anyone who is never depressed, but always happy, will certainly gain prestige.

21Depression brings degradation.

22It is a good sign when a sick person cries.

23Sadness causes a person’s enemies to be elevated.

24Sadness brings heartache.

25The hasty person is a sad person.

26Closeness to Tzaddikim makes the heart happy.

27A segulah for eliminating depression is to listen to an esteemed Tzaddik singing.

28A person who does not confess his sins will be beset by sighing and worry.

29When a person desires things that are against God’s will, he is given reason to sigh.

30Feeling bad over a bad dream nullifies it.

31Sound, sight and smell calm a person’s mind.

32Calling out to God eliminates suffering.

33A person who is depressed brings suffering upon himself.

34Whoever dwells on his suffering more than he should suffers even more.

35Eating dates eliminates worry.

36Studying Aggadah makes one happy.