We have written this Rule in order that by its observance in monasteries we may show ourselves to have attained some degree of virtue and the rudiments of the monastic life. But for him who would hasten to the perfection of that life, there are the teachings of the holy Fathers, by observing which a man is led to the summit of perfection. For what page or what utterance of the divinely-inspired books of the Old and New Testaments is not a most unerring rule of human life? Or what book of the holy Catholic Fathers does not loudly proclaim how we may come by a straight course to our Creator? Then the Conferences, the Institutes and Lives of the Fathers, as also the Rule of our holy Father Basil: what else are they but tools of virtue for good-living and obedient monks? But we slothful, ill-living and negligent people must blush with confusion. Whoever, therefore, thou art that hastenest to thy heavenly country, fulfil by the help of Christ this little Rule which we have written for beginners; and then at length under God’s protection thou shalt attain to the loftier heights just mentioned of wisdom and moral perfection.