Fructuosus of Braga

In his own words on Proverbs

• Proverbs 25:25

  We have learned from the story in sacred Scripture how pleasing to a man is "good news from a far country." And what other better news could we expect than the love of Christ, than the spotless profession and propagation of the catholic church, than the pure lives, successful work, and faithful doctrine of the friends of God and the bishops and priests of Christ? These, most blessed father, we confess that we vehemently yearn for and thirstily desire to learn.

  LETTER 43

• Proverbs 26:11

  We have learned that in some less observant monasteries, men have entered and brought their capital with them and later, losing their religious fervor, have made great trouble in demanding their property. Returning to the world which they had left, as dogs return to their vomit, with the aid of their relatives they have extorted what they had brought with them to the monastery and have sought the support of secular judges. With the help of magistrates they have [thus] destroyed the monasteries, so that we see many innocent men ruined by a single sinner.

  GENERAL RULE FOR MONASTERIES 18

• Proverbs 26:24

  If one of the brothers who agreed upon a common pact shall suddenly on one occasion only fall into altercation with another, he may, according to the gospel, ask and receive forgiveness. But if he refuses to mend his ways, and if the one against whom a wrong has been done has not succeeded in changing the other's presumption after a first and second admonition, then he shall report it to the abbot, lest both he and his brother be endangered by this silence. As the prophet says, "He who hides his enmity maintains deceit."

  MONASTIC AGREEMENT 6