Rule of St Benedict for the day

Monks should practise silence at all times, but especially at night. For every season, therefore, whether they be dining at midday or fasting let this be the rule: if dinner be at midday, then as soon as they have risen from supper let them all sit together and let a brother read the Conferences or the Lives of the Fathers, or something else that may edify the hearers; but not the Heptateuch or Kings because it will not be good for weak minds to hear those parts of Scripture at that time of day; let those books be read at other times. If the day be a fast-day, let there be a short interval after Vespers and let them pass then at once to the reading of the Conferences, as prescribed above. When four or five pages have been read, or as many as time permits, and this interval of reading has allowed of the assembly of all who may chance to be engaged in special duties: then, all being now assembled, let them say Compline; and when they come out of Compline, let there be no further permission for anyone to say anything. But if anyone be found to infringe this rule of silence, let him undergo severe punishment, except the coming of guests make speech necessary, or the abbot give someone an order. But even this should be done with the utmost gravity and the most becoming restraint.