Every man hath his proper gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.¹ It is therefore with some misgiving that we determine how much others should eat or drink. Nevertheless, keeping in view the needs of weaker brethren, we believe that a hemina of wine a day is sufficient for each; but let those on whom God bestows the gift of abstinence, know that they shall receive a special reward.

But if the circumstances of the place, or their work, or the heat of summer require more, let the superior be free to grant it. Yet let him always take care that neither surfeit nor drunkenness supervene. We do indeed read that wine is no drink for monks; but since nowadays monks cannot be persuaded of this, let us at least agree upon this, that we drink temperately and not to satiety: for wine maketh even the wise to fall away.² But when the circumstances of the place are such that the aforesaid measure cannot be had, but much less or even none at all, then let the monks who dwell there bless God and not murmur. Above all things do we give this admonition that they abstain from murmuring.

¹1 Cor vii, 7
²Ecclus xix, 2