De magistris et discipulis

An unskilled helmsman is a ready shipwreck, and an ignorant superior is the ruin of disciples. An inexperienced shepherd dislocates the ankles of sheep, and a superior leads disciples astray. An unskilled shepherd will not discern among the sheep in a fog, nor will an inexperienced teacher say anything beneficial in a time of trials. A knowledgeable superior is a general of war and a physician of passions; for either he will not allow them to be wounded, or he will quickly heal those who are wounded. A disobedient disciple is a crooked piece of wood, and he will not be straightened even when continually reproved. A discordant brother is a string of a lyre that sounds out of tune, and the harmony of the common melody is dissolved. A drone consumes the labors of bees, and a lazy brother diminishes the virtuous practice of the community. A cowardly soldier weakens the hands of warriors, and a negligent monk slackens the zeal of brothers. A swarm of bees produces honeycomb, and a community of brothers produces the kingdom of heavens. A trumpet rouses the zeal of warriors, and teaching of practical virtue rouses the diligence of disciples. Arm your brothers with words of the fingers, O superior, and shield them with promises of future goods; fence them with the shield of faith in contests, and greave them with hope in God; shoe their feet in evangelical teachings, and gird their loins with words of temperance; put a sword into their hand—the sharpest anger against the passions—and array the phalanx of passions against pleasure. Train the soldiers in reasonings, who are experienced for battle; and make defeat fearful by the threat of eternal punishment. Proclaim the victor with bright praises, for praise also knows how to make men more zealous.

Treat the one who has been wronged with compassion, for forgiveness no less than a threat shames the sensible person. Do not be moved by anger against a disciple who has sinned, for it is not holy to wound oneself before treating another; but correct him patiently toward the good, for a physician treats the disease and does not become indignant against the one who has involuntarily fallen ill. A surgeon cuts without anger, and a teacher who rebukes should not mix anger with the rebuke. Guide those fleeing the land of Egypt through the desert road, for scarcity knows how to educate toward self-control even those beginning in virtue. Encamp at Aileim—the gates are themselves interpreted as a symbol of the entrance leading to virtue—and show the seventy palms. Encamp also by the twelve springs—for you must also sing of the palms as a symbol of victory and quench the flame of the passions, providing waters abundantly—until, having destroyed all the foreign nations, they reach the promised land, where they will live the blessed life of dispassion, receiving true joy as the reward of their labors.