CARE must be taken that on no occasion one monk presume to defend another in the Monastery, or to take his part, even although they be connected by some near tie of kinship. Let not the monks dare to do this in any way whatsoever ; because therefrom may arise the most grievous occasion of scandals. If any one transgress this rule, let him be very severely punished.
The Rule of Saint Benedict
Chapter 69. That no one presume to defend another in the Monastery
1 section
Transcribed from a dated scan; artifacts may remain. Edition notes
Trans. D. Oswald Hunter Blair (in religion, Dom Oswald Hunter Blair; David Oswald Hunter Blair, 4th Baronet, 1853-1939), a Benedictine monk of Fort Augustus Abbey, Not part of a named series — a standalone Abbey Press printing, 1906. Public domain.