A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

Rule of St. Benedict 563
such a way as not to disturb another.
And the nona (the
second meal) shall be gone through with more moderately
about the middle of the eighth hour; and again, they shall
work at what is to be done until Vespers. But if the emergency
or poverty of the place demands that they be occupied
in picking fruits, they shall not be grieved; for they
are truly monks if they live by the labors of their hands,
as did also our fathers and the apostles.
Let all things be
done with moderation, however, on account of the fainthearted.
In days of Lent they shall all receive separate books Regulations
as to readfrom
the Hbrary, which they shall
.
read entirely through ing.
in order. These books are to be given out on the first day
of Lent. Above all there shall be appointed without fail
one or two elders, who shall go round the monastery at the
hours in which the brothers are engaged in reading, and
see to it that no troublesome brother be found who is
given to idleness and trifling, and is not intent on his
reading, being not only of no use to himself, but also
stirring up others.
If such a one (may it not happen) be
found, he shall be reproved once and a second time. If
he do not amend, he shall be subject under the rule to
such punishment that the others may have fear. Nor
shall brother join brother at unsuitable hours.
Moreover,
on Sunday all shall engage in reading, excepting those
who are assigned to various duties. But if any one be
so negligent and lazy that he will not or can not read,
some task shall be imposed upon him which he can do,
so that he be not idle. On feeble and delicate brothers
such a task or art is to be imposed, that they shall neither
be idle nor so oppressed by the violence of labor as to be
driven to take flight. Their weakness is to be taken into
consideration by the abbot.