Chapter 24: Different degrees of severity in punishment

The severity of excommunication or any other punishment should correspond to the gravity of the fault committed, and it is for the superior to decide about the seriousness of faults. (From Ch. 24 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

I take to heart Benedict's admonition that if I must correct the behavior of another, I should do so with a spirit of fairness and appropriateness. This means not using the situation as an opportunity for my ego to assert itself.