240. There was not a decree that was pronounced above over the world that RABBI SHIMON did not nullify. This is the meaning of: "He that rules over men" (II Shmuel 23:3); NAMELY, THE VERSE: "THE ROCK OF YISRAEL SPOKE TO ME, HE THAT RULES OVER MEN MUST BE JUST, RULING IN THE FEAR OF ELOHIM." The Holy One, blessed be He, rules over men. Who, as it were, rules over the Holy One, blessed be He? The righteous man RULES, for the Holy One, blessed be He, decrees and he nullifies.