Regula Benedicti, chapter 4.56-73
Intratext / Archive.org / The Latin Library
English Translation (with sources)
(1) Lectione sa[n]c[tas] libenter audire ., Orati / Lectiones
To readings sacred willingly to listen. To pray-
(2) oni frequenter incumbere ., Mala
ers frequently to apply oneself. One’s past
(3) sua preterita cum lacrimis vel gemi / praeterita
evils with tears and groans
(4) tu cottidie in orationem d[e]o / cotidie
daily in prayer to God
(5) confiteri ., De ipsis malis de citero em[en] / cetero
to confess. His own evils remaining to
(6) dare ., Desidaria carnis non efficere
amend ., Desires of the flesh not to fulfill,
(7) voluntatem propriam odire ., Precep /Praecep
one;s own will to hate. The teach-
(8) tis abbatis inomnibus oboedire &ia[m]
ings of the abbot in all things to obey even
(9) si ipse aliter quod absit agat me
if he himself otherwise, what is missing, acts, re-
(10) mores illut dominicu[m] preceptu[m] ., Qot / illud, praeceptum, Quae
remember that precept of the Lord. What
(11) dicunt facite quae au[tem] faciunt facire / facere
they say, do, and what they do, do
(12) nolite ., Non velle dici s[an]c[tu]m antequa[m]
not do. Not to want to be said to be holy before
(13) sit ., sed prius e[ss]e quod verius dicatur
one may be. But before to be what is more true called.
(14) Precepta d[e]i factis cottidie adim / Praecepta, cotidie
Precepts of God being done daily to
(15) plere ., Caritatem amare null[um]
fulfill. To love charity, nothing
(16) odire ., Zelu[m] & invidia non habere / & invidia
to hate. Jealousy and envy not to have
(17) contentione[m] non amare ., Elatio
strife not to love. Extol-
(18) nem fugire ., Et seniores venerare / fugere
ling to flee. And the older to honor
(19) iuniores diligire . in xpi amore pro / diligere
the younger to love. In Christ with love for
(20) inimicis orare ., cum discordan
enemies to pray. With adver-
(21) tibus ante solis occasum in pace / te
saries before the setting of the sun to peace
(22) redire . et de d[e]i misericordia num
to return. And of the mercy of God ne-
(23) quam disperare ., / desparare
ver to despair.
(24) Ecce haec sunt instrumenta artis
These are the instruments of the art