Глава 31. О том, что настоятель должен сообразовывать свои приказания с телесными силами подчиненных, и о скрывающих свои силы

The abbot needs to pay attention not to give orders that exceed bodily strength, and through this not to bring the powerless into contradiction. He must, like a father, equally disposed and close to everyone, look at the bodily strength of each and, accordingly, measure and distribute his orders. But those who, having the bodily strength given to them by God, refuse as if they do not have it, and, shamelessly deceiving their superiors, do not obey their orders, will be subjected to the greatest condemnation. For if the abbot brings upon himself a great and unbearable misfortune when he hides the talent of speech and does not announce to everyone in advance about the sword that is coming to sin, then an incomparably greater misfortune will be brought upon himself by the one who, having received from God bodily strength for the common good, does not use it in action and hides it. You might be interested in: