Holy Wit

"Let all follow the Rule as their guide in everything, and let no one rashly depart from it. Let no one in the monastery follow the bent of his own heart..."

"Whenever weighty matters are to be transacted in the monastery, let the Abbot call together the whole community, and make known the matter which is to be considered. Having heard the brethren’s views, let him weigh the matter with himself and do what he thinketh best. It is for this reason, however, we said that all should be called for counsel, because the Lord often revealeth to the younger what is best."

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

"...mingling gentleness with severity, as the occasion may call for, let him show the severity of the master and the loving affection of a father."

"Let him (the Abbot) make no distinction of persons in the monastery. Let him not love one more than another, unless it be one whom he findeth more exemplary in good works and obedience...

"For he is believed to hold the place of Christ in the monastery, when he is called by his name, according to the saying of the Apostle: “You have received the spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry Abba (Father).”"

"...and going forth from the rank of their brethren well trained for single combat in the desert, [the Hermits] are able, with the help of God, to cope single-handed without the help of others, against the vices of the flesh and evil thought."

"But as we advance in the religious life and faith, we shall run the way of God’s commandments with expanded hearts and unspeakable sweetness of love; so that never departing from His guidance and persevering in the monastery in His doctrine till death, we may by patience share in the sufferings of Christ, and be found worthy to be coheirs with Him of His kingdom."

"Our hearts and our bodies must, therefore, be ready to do battle under the biddings of holy obedience; and let us ask the Lord that He supply by the help of His grace what is impossible to us by nature."

“Knowest thou not that the patience of God leadeth thee to penance?” For the good Lord saith: “I will not the death of the sinner, but that he be converted and live.”

St. Benedict now asks us where are we to go?

If hearing this thou answerest, “I am he,” God saith to thee: “If thou wilt have true and everlasting life, keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile; turn away from evil and do good; seek after peace and pursue it.”