Quotes of the thoughts, aphorisms and phrases of St. Benedict of Norcia, taken from the famous rule dictated by the Saint inspired by God, as a guide to direct the life path of those who decide to follow it accompanied by a joyful faith.
Quotes of St. Benedict of Norcia
- Armed therefore with faith and good works, under the guidance of the Gospel, let us walk in its ways in order to deserve the vision of him, who called us into his kingdom.
- If, however, we want to find a home under his tent, that is, in his kingdom, remember that it is impossible to get there without running towards the goal, doing good.
- The most obvious sign of humility is readiness in obedience.
- We must therefore make use of the graces that he grants us to obey him at all times with so much fidelity as to avoid, not only that he comes to disinherit his children as a disdained father, but also that, as a tremendous sovereign, irritated by our sins, we condemnations to eternal punishment as unfaithful servants who did not want to follow him in glory.
- If indeed speaking and teaching is the master's task, the duty of the disciple is to keep silent and listen.
- If any brother proves rebellious or disobedient or superb or murmuring, or assumes an attitude of hostility and contempt towards some point of the Holy Rule or the orders of superiors, they will reproach him a first and a second time in secret, according to the precept of the Lord.
- So, my brothers, if we want to reach the most exalted peak of humility and quickly reach that celestial glorification, to which one ascends through the humiliation of the present life, with our ascetic exercise we have to raise the ladder that appeared in a dream to Jacob and along which he saw the angels descending and ascending. There is no doubt that for us that descent and that ascent can only be interpreted in the sense that with pride you go down and with humility you go up. The ladder so erected, then, is our earthly life which, if the heart is humble, God raises to heaven.
- So the first degree of humility is that in which, always remaining in the holy fear of God, lightness and dissipation are decidedly avoided.
- The second degree of humility is that in which, not loving one's will, one does not find any pleasure in the satisfaction of one's desires.
- The third degree of humility is that in which the monk for love of God submits to the superior in absolute obedience, in imitation of the Lord, of whom the Apostle says: "Obedient fact until death".
Recommended readings- Phrases of St. Dominic of Guzman: biography
- Phrases of Santa Gemma Galgani: quotes and aphorisms
- Phrases of Saint Anthony of Padua: quotes, aphorisms
- Phrases of San Filippo Neri: famous aphorisms from the writings
- Phrases of San Camillo de Lellis: quotes and thoughts
Aphorisms of San Benedetto da Norcia
- The fourth degree of humility is that of the monk who, despite encountering difficulties, opposition and even unprovoked offenses in the exercise of obedience, silently and voluntarily accepts suffering and endures everything with patience, without getting tired or giving in according to the warning Scripture: "Whoever has endured to the end will be saved."
- The fifth degree of humility consists in manifesting with a humble confession to one's abbot all the bad thoughts that arise in the soul or the faults committed in secret.
- The sixth degree of humility is that in which the monk is satisfied with the most miserable and gross things and considers himself a worker incapable and unworthy of everything that obedience imposes on him.
- The seventh degree of humility consists not only in qualifying as the most miserable of all, but in being convinced of it from the bottom of the heart ... ..
- The eighth grade of humility is that in which the monk does nothing beyond what the common rule of the monastery and the example of superiors and elders spurs him on.
- The ninth degree of humility belongs to the monk who knows how to dominate the language and, faithfully observing the silence, remains silent until he is interrogated.
- The tenth degree of humility is that in which the monk is not always ready to laugh, because it is written: "The fool in laughing raises his voice".
- The eleventh degree of humility is that in which the monk, when he speaks, expresses himself peacefully and seriously, with humility and gravity, and pronounces a few sensible words, without raising his voice.
- The twelfth degree, finally, is that of the monk, whose humility is not purely internal, but shines in front of anyone who observes him from all his external attitude.
- The abbot must be very vigilant and strive diligently with all the care and diligence he is capable of in order not to lose any of the sheep entrusted to him.
Phrases of St. Benedict of Norcia
- Listen, my son, to the teachings of the master and open your heart meekly; welcome the advice inspired by his paternal love and put it into practice with commitment, so that you can return through the diligence of obedience to the One from whom you have strayed for the ignorance of disobedience.
- Man must become aware that God observes him at all times from heaven and that wherever he is, his actions never escape the divine gaze and are constantly referred to by angels.
- First of all, ask God with constant and intense prayer to accomplish what good you propose to do, so that, after having mercifully welcomed us among his children, he does not have to be angry one day for our unworthy conduct.
- Therefore we are rightly taught not to do our will, avoiding all that Scripture says: "There are ways that seem straight to men, but that sink into the depths of hell".
- Speaking and teaching is up to the teacher, keeping silent and listening befits the disciple.
- If when we have to ask some person for a favor, we dare to do it only with awe and respect, how much more should we make our supplication to God, Lord of all things, with deep humility and sincere devotion.
- I personally address you, whoever you are, who, having decided to give up their own will, wield the very strong and valiant weapons of obedience for the military under the true king, Christ the Lord.
- Every age and intelligence must be treated properly.
- Ora et labora (pray and work).
