B"H
Late one night, Rabbi Israel Lipkin of Salant, (1810 - 1883), chanced to enter a shoemaker's home. The shoemaker was sitting and doing his work by the flickering light of a candle that was about to go out. "Why are you still working ?" asked Rabbi Israel. "The hour is late. Besides, your candle will soon go out and you won't be able to finish".
"That's no problem", answered the shoemaker. "As long as the candle is burning, it is still possible to work and to repair".
Rabbi Israel was deeply impressed by these words, for if one must work for his physical needs as long as the candle is lit, how much more must a person work for his spiritual improvement so long as the soul - "G - d's candle" - is in him.
For many days after, Rabbi Israel was heard pacing in his room, chanting with great fervor, "As long as the candle is burning, it is still possible to work and to repair".
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Source:
"Sparks of Mussar"
by Rabbi Chaim Ephraim Zaitchik
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