Benedict of Nursia Quotes

“Idleness is the enemy of the soul; and therefore the brethren ought to be employed in manual labor at certain times, at others, in devout reading.”

“The first degree of humility is prompt obedience.”

“And let them first pray together, that so they may associate in peace.”

“He should know that whoever undertakes the government of souls must prepare himself to account for them.”

“The sleepy like to make excuses.”

“Wherefore let us consider how it behoveth us to be in the sight of God and the angels, and so let us take our part in the psalmody that mind and voice accord together.”

“The abbot ought ever to bear in mind what he is and what he is called; he ought to know that to whom more is entrusted, from him more is exacted.”

“He should first show them in deeds rather than words all that is good and holy.”

“The prophet shows that, for the sake of silence, we are to abstain even from good talk. If this be so, how much more needful is it that we refrain from evil words, on account of the penalty of the sin!”

“For at all times we must so serve Him with the good things He has given us, that he may not, as an angry Father, disinherit his children, nor as a dread Lord, provoked by our evil deeds, deliver us to everlasting punishment as wicked servants who refuse to follow Him to glory.”

“The first step towards humility is to keep the fear of God in mind at all times.”

“Let us take part in the psalmody in such a way that our mind may be in harmony with our voice.”

“It is time now for us to rise from sleep.”