"Any study of the Torah and any prayer unaccompanied by good deeds and repentance void the Torah and make the prayer unwanted." ~~ Otiyot Derabbi Akiva
"But how can you say, “It was only talk, so no harm was done?” Were this true, then your prayers, and your words of kindness, would be a waste of breath." ~~ Nachman of Bratslav
"None should stand up to pray save in sober mood; the pious men of old used to wait an hour before they said their prayer, that they might direct their heart toward God." ~~ Berakhot 5:1
