========================================================================
  NOW WE HAVE WRITTEN THIS RULE
  by St. Benedict of Nursia
========================================================================

Summary: The Rule of St. Benedict is a minimum standard for beginners to
attain a degree of virtue and the rudiments of the religious life, with
the goal of progressing to loftier heights of doctrine and virtue.

Topics: "Monastic Life", "Christian Virtue"
Scripture References: Proverbs 3:1, Philippians 3:14, Colossians 3:23, 2 Timothy 3:16, James 1:22

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of following the Rule
as a foundation of virtue and religious life in monasteries. He
highlights the teachings of the holy Fathers and the divine inspiration
found in the Old and New Testaments as guides to perfection. St.
Benedict acknowledges the tools of virtue provided by the writings of
the Catholic Fathers and the Rule of holy Father Basil, urging diligent
pursuit of a life dedicated to God.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 those who would hasten to the perfection of that life

there are the teaching of the holy Fathers,

the observance of which leads 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,

fulfill 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.

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/st-benedict-of-nursia/now-we-have-written-this-rule/
========================================================================