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Longer Rules

St Basil the Great, tr. Lowther Clarke, 1925

49. Rule 49: Concerning Matters of Dispute Among the Brethren

As for matters of dispute among the brethren, when they cannot agree on a matter, they must not strive with one another contentiously, but submit the decision to those more capable than themselves.¹ So that to prevent the upsetting of order by all asking questions at once and generally to give no opportunity of light or foolish talking, there must be one approved, and able to bring matters of dispute with any before the brotherhood for common consideration, or else to refer them to the Superior. For in this way the consideration of doubtful points will be more suitably and wisely carried out. For if in every matter there is need of knowledge and experience, much more so in such matters as these. And if no one would entrust the use of tools to inexperienced persons, much more is it necessary to put the management of speech in the hands of competent men, who will be able to distinguish accurately the place, time, and manner of the questions, answering without contention and wisely and listening prudently to preserve the solutions of the problems for the edification of the community.

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