Shamai HaZaken

Shamai says: Make Torah study your chief occupation; speak little, but accomplish much; and receive every man with a friendly countenance" (Avos 1:15).

The Talmud (Beitza 16) tells us how Shamai HaZaken would always allocate the best items in his possession to honor Shabbos, while using the lesser items during the week: If he found a quality animal that looked like a good source for meat, he would purchase it for Shabbos; and if he subsequently came across an even better animal, he would eat the first one and save the second one for Shabbos. In this manner he would focus on Shabbos every day of his life.