אִם אֵין דֶּרֶךְ אֶרֶץ אֵין תּוֹרָה

ביטוי (אנגלית)

If there is no proper conduct, there is no Torah

הגדרה (אנגלית)

Without accepted moral behavior, it is impossible to interpret and fulfill what is stated in the Torah. Observance of the Torah without proper conduct is deficient. ('Derech Eretz' here means proper manners and decency.)

("Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah says: If there is no Torah, there is no proper conduct; if there is no proper conduct, there is no Torah... If there is no flour, there is no Torah; if there is no Torah, there is no flour"—Avot 3:17. Also: "No proper conduct—no fair dealings with others"—R. Ovadia of Bartenura there.)