It happens all too often that the constituting of a Prior gives rise to grave scandals in monasteries. For there are some who become inflated with the evil spirit of pride and consider themselves second Abbots. By usurping power they foster scandals and cause dissensions in the community. Especially does this happen in those places where the Prior is constituted by the same Bishop or the same Abbots who constitute the Abbot himself. What an absurd procedure this is can easily be seen; for it gives the Prior an occasion for becoming proud from the very time of his constitution, by putting the thought into his mind that he is freed from the authority of his Abbot: "For," he will say to himself, "you were constituted by the same persons who constitute the Abbot." From this source are stirred up envy, quarrels, detraction, rivalry, dissensions and disorders. For while the Abbot and the Prior are at variance, their souls cannot but be endangered by this dissension; and those who are under them, currying favor with one side or the other, go to ruin. The guilt for this dangerous state of affairs rests on the heads of those whose action brought about such disorder.

The cluniac and subsequent monastic reforms have removed this particular cause of conflict between the two leaders. But temptation persists to envy, quarrels, detraction, rivalry, dissensions and disorders.

Some of these temptations are, it seems to me, endemic to the human condition. But they can be resisted, combated, and -- what is usually most effective -- displaced.

We most often fall into these venal temptations when we are preoccupied by the trivial. Where our perceived purpose and task is tedious, we will often create intrigue.

Where our purpose inspires and our our tasks clearly contribute to achieving a meaningful purpose our contentious pride can be tamed.

The leader who truly leads toward the Good, the Beautiful, and the True is much less likely to suffer internal dissent (less likely is different than none). Moreover, if the leader is effective in this way he or she will increase the likelihood of external attack.

Above is The Temptation of St. Benedict by Allesandro Allori. I am not specifically aware of the back-story, but the possibilities are evocative.