On the Fact That the Full Observance of Justice Is Not Established in
This Rule
May 1—Aug. 31—Dec. 31
Now we have written this Rule in order that by its observance in
monasteries we may show that we have attained some degree of virtue and
the rudiments of the religious life.
But for him who would hasten to the perfection of that life there are
the teachings of the holy Fathers, the observance of which leads a man
to the height of perfection. For what page or what utterance of the
divinely inspired books of the Old and New Testaments is not a most
unerring rule for human life? Or what book of the holy Catholic Fathers
does not loudly proclaim how we may come by a straight course to our
Creator? Then the Conferences and the Institutes and the Lives of the
Fathers, as also the Rule of our holy Father Basil—what else are they
but tools of virtue for right-living and obedient monks? But for us who
are lazy and ill-living and negligent they are a source of shame and
confusion.
Whoever you are, therefore, who are hastening to the heavenly homeland,
fulfil with the help of Christ this minimum Rule which we have written
for beginners; and then at length under God’s protection you will attain
to the loftier heights of doctrine and virtue which we have mentioned
above.