Chapter 69: No one should act as advocate for another

Such a thing must not happen in the monastery because it would provide a very serious occasion of scandal. (From Ch. 69 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

St. Benedict is encouraging me to discern those situations when I think I know what is best for someone else, and then try to force the issue. What seems like trying to help can actually be pompous and disrespectful. Often it is best to let another learn from the consequences of his or her own behavior.