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ianlukemorel's review
4.0
Very interesting book! Not like fun to read or anything but super important for Church history. There is some really great wisdom in here for those who want to dive more into their spirituality and especially for those in some kind of spiritual authority. Worth the few hours it takes to read, even if it’s just for the history.
vicachua's review
5.0
Some impressions to ponder:
1. Rid of excess and give to poor
2. Flying sweetly in the way of the commandments
3. Cheapest clothes without care for aesthetics
4. Due reverence and respect for elders
5. Silence and the converse of mirth i.e. laughter
1. Rid of excess and give to poor
2. Flying sweetly in the way of the commandments
3. Cheapest clothes without care for aesthetics
4. Due reverence and respect for elders
5. Silence and the converse of mirth i.e. laughter
bryce_is_a_librarian's review
4.0
I've often thought that the monastic order is the high-point of my religion. No power, no ambition, just simple and just service to God and man.
Therefore I thought I'd read the beginning of that order. My sympathies are much more in align with the Franciscans then the Benedictions which is to put it gently, a little harsh. A surprisingly large amount of the book deals with Benedict's disdain for laughter and or grumbling.
Alot of this slight volume is simply not very useful to the layman, unless you desperately want to know how you should perform you're cooking duties and sleeping arrangements should a monastery happen to visit you.
Still this book is the foundation for an order and way of life that I have nothing but the utmost respect for. And if more Christians (myself of course included) followed the wisdom of lines such as, "keep your tongue free from vicious talk, and your lips from all deceit; turn away from evil and do good; let peace be your quest and your aim." I firmly believe that both the world and the church would be in much better standing.
Therefore I thought I'd read the beginning of that order. My sympathies are much more in align with the Franciscans then the Benedictions which is to put it gently, a little harsh. A surprisingly large amount of the book deals with Benedict's disdain for laughter and or grumbling.
Alot of this slight volume is simply not very useful to the layman, unless you desperately want to know how you should perform you're cooking duties and sleeping arrangements should a monastery happen to visit you.
Still this book is the foundation for an order and way of life that I have nothing but the utmost respect for. And if more Christians (myself of course included) followed the wisdom of lines such as, "keep your tongue free from vicious talk, and your lips from all deceit; turn away from evil and do good; let peace be your quest and your aim." I firmly believe that both the world and the church would be in much better standing.
gothicdouble's review
Quotes that amused me:
"The younger brothers should not have their beds next to each other, but interspersed among those of the seniors. On arising for the Work of God, they will quietly encourage one another, for the sleepy like to make excuses."
"We read that monks should not drink wine at all, but since the monks of our day cannot be convinced of this, let us at least agree to drink moderately"
"The younger brothers should not have their beds next to each other, but interspersed among those of the seniors. On arising for the Work of God, they will quietly encourage one another, for the sleepy like to make excuses."
"We read that monks should not drink wine at all, but since the monks of our day cannot be convinced of this, let us at least agree to drink moderately"
hildegard's review
4.0
4.5
A lot of think about, even as a laywoman, in terms of managing others in the best way.
A lot of think about, even as a laywoman, in terms of managing others in the best way.
virtualmima's review
1.25
Eerily reminiscent of the traditional Western school system, which was undoubtedly influenced by Catholic monasteries and their harsh, barbaric indoctrination process. Though corporal punishment has been abolished for the most part, even today most schools are built on this same framework where students, like the monks, are treated as prisoners and "disciplined" with dress codes, chastity, failing grades, detention, suspension, and expulsion (excommunication) to prevent them from exercising their free will.