That you remain in the monastery I anxiously admonish, for by the fellowship of many you will profit; and by seeing the virtues of others you will be a virgin of virtues. And if at times, owing to the diversity of wills, some discord arises in the community, and now and then the spiritual are saddened by the murmurings of the carnal, yet there will not be lacking those whom you may imitate in good deeds. And certainly to tolerate the carnal is a mark of proven virtue; but to imitate the spiritual is of the greatest hope. The carnal train the patience of the spiritual, and they give the documents of good virtues which are holy: and thus both are useful to the soul that is making progress, both those whom it patiently tolerates, and those whom it sweetly imitates.
'Gladly,' says the Apostle, 'you bear with the foolish, since you yourselves are wise' (2 Corinthians 11). And the same one says: 'You who are stronger ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please yourselves. But let each one please his neighbour for good, unto edification' (Romans 15). For let not the murmurings of the carnal scandalize you; but let the life of those who make progress console you; and you who do not know how long you may linger in the world, ought to be patient for the gift of heavenly glory.