Every occasion of presumption shall be avoided in the monastery, and we decree that no one be allowed to excommunicate or to strike any of her sisters unless the Abbess has given her the authority. Those who offend in this mattershall be rebuked in the presence of all,that the rest may have fear. But children up to 15 years of age shall be carefully controlled and watched by all, yet this too with all moderation and discretion. All, therefore, who presume without the Abbess' instructions to punish those above that ageor who lose their temper with them,shall undergo the discipline of the Rule; for it is written, "Do not to another what you would not want done to yourself" (Tobias 4:16).

The principle articulated in Tobias is found found in the wisdom of many cultures. For example, in the Sayings, Confucius offers, "What you yourself do not want, do not do to another person."

The great Jewish sage - and some believe teacher of Jesus - Hillel was famous for, "What is hateful to you do not do to another. This is the whole Torah. The rest is commentary."

The teaching of Jesus sounds similar, but is radically different. He transforms ethical restraint into active ethical engagement, "Do to others as you would have them do to you." (Luke 6:31)