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 be aware of 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. I must realize that it is often best to let another learn from the consequences of his or her own behavior.