The eleventh degree of humility is that when a monk speaks he do so gently and without laughter, humbly and seriously, in few and sensible words, and that he be not noisy in his speech. It is written, "A wise man is known by the fewness of his words"(Sextus, Enchidirion, 134 or 145).

One person's sense of humor is not the same as another.

Irony is often misunderstood.

The more we say the more likely we will offend another.

Too often our speech descends into gossip, grumbling, calumny, and jokes at another's expense.

I understand that Benedict is seeking to gather an effective community focused on God.

It may only prove that I am not meant for such a community.

But I would prefer more attention to "thou shalt's" and less to "thou shalt not's."

Above is a 20th Century representation of St. Benedict.