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Shorter Rules
St Basil the Great, tr. Lowther Clarke, 1925
Rule 98: What Kind of Disposition Ought the Superior to Have When He Gives His Orders or…
Towards God he should be as a minister of Christ and steward of the mysteries of God, fearing lest he should say or regulate anything contrary to the will of God1 as revealed in the Scriptures and be found a false witness of God or sacrilegious, by introducing anything alien to the teaching of the Lord, or omitting anything pleasing to God. As regards the brethren, As when a nurse cherisheth her children,”2 desiring to impart to each what pleases God and benefits all in common, not only the Gospel of God but also his own soul, according to the commandment of our Lord and God Jesus Christ Who said: “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you.”3 ‘“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”4
Notes
- Used by Ben. Reg. ii.
- 1 Thess. ii. 7 ὡς ἐάν for ὡς ἄν.
- Jn. xiii. 34 add ἐγώ after καθώς*.
- Jn. xv. 13.