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 Benedict rules:

The eleventh degree of humility consists in this, that the monk speak gently, seriously, humbly, gravely, with sober and prudent words, without raising his voice ,just as it is written:The wise man is recognized by his few words.

The word of the disciple of Jesus Christ should above all be meek, just like the Divine Master Himself. And all the more so since it is written: A mild speech breaks up wrath . The ancient masters especially abhorred laughter , because levity is most unbecoming to a religious person.

The very condition of the monk , that is , of the Servant of God, expresses humility , so much so that in the blessing of the monastic habit it is said of these black garments: the holy fathers decreed that they should be worn as a sign of innocence and of humility. Now, would it not be a contradiction to bear outwardly a habit of humility , and then to cultivate an arrogant and proud manner of speaking that is unbecoming even to men of the world? . St Bernard wrote," We , monks, wearing the cowl and full of pride , are horrified by fur , as if humility covered by fur were not far more valuable than pride covered by a cowl!"

One who is grasping for words chatters much, and still does not know what he wants to say, because he does not have clear ideas on the subject. On the other hand, a thinker, a clear mind, reveals even in his words someting of the geometrician: well-crafted ideas and words, and nothing more.