Saint Benedict, Abbot

Saint Benedict of Nursia –
Benedict’s main achievement is his “Rule”, containing precepts for his monks. It has a unique spirit of balance, moderation and reasonableness (ἐπιείκεια, epieikeia), and this persuaded most religious communities founded throughout the Middle Ages to adopt it. Benedict is often called the founder of western Christian monasticism.

“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!”
― Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict