answered, "If it is yours, take it." So they could not find out how
to have a quarrel.

Anger, malice, revenge, were accursed things in the eyes of these
men. There was enough of them, and too much, among their monks; but
far less, doubt not, than in the world outside. For within the
monastery it was preached against, repressed, punished; and when
repented of, forgiven, with loving warnings and wise rules against
future transgression.

Abbot Agathon used to say, "I never went to sleep with a quarrel
against any man; nor did I, as far as lay in me, let one who had a
quarrel against me sleep till he had made peace."

Abbot Isaac was asked why the devils feared him so much. "Since I
was made a monk," he said, "I settled with myself that no angry word
should come out of my mouth."

An old man said, "Anger arises from these four things: from the
lust of avarice, in giving and receiving; from loving one's own
opinion; from wishing to be honoured; and from fancying oneself a
teacher and hoping to be wiser than everybody. And anger obscures
human reason by these four ways: if a man hate his neighbour; or if
he envy him; or if he look on him as nought; or if he speak evil of
him."

A brother being injured by another, came to Abbot Sidonius, told his
story, and said, "I wish to avenge myself, father." The abbot
begged him to leave vengeance to God: but when he refused, said,
"Then let us pray." Whereon the old man rose, and said, "God, thou