Masechet Avot, Perek Aleph (Chapter 1), Mishnah Yod (Mishnah 10). The Mishnah says, “Shemaya and Avtalyon received the tradition from Yehuda ben Tabbai and Shimon ben Shetach.” They taught the following.
Shemaya said, “Ehov et ha-melacha, love work.” It does not mean loving the actual work that you’re doing; what he’s teaching us is that a person should always occupy himself, even if he has the money to support himself and take care of himself without having to go out and make a living. He should constantly stay busy, because if he doesn’t stay busy and just relaxes all day, for example, he’s going to end up bored, and boredom leads to issues, leads to problems.
Secondly: Hate positions of authority. Don’t seek out leadership, a name, a committee, or taking power in some way. Love to give back, of course, but hate the fact that you’re accepting authority over the public, because eventually those things lead to ga'avah, lead to having a person having a big head, and lead to a person thinking that he’s accomplishing so much. Of course, you should try and help and do what you can, but it’s not all about the power. It’s more about what you’re getting done.
And don’t make yourself known to the government. When you’re too involved with the government, even though you may think you’re getting things done, eventually the government is politics and everything is crooked. Eventually, it’s going to turn on you, and they’re going to hurt you and do something evil to you.