He indeed abstains from wine, for such has been the habit of his life, but to us he permits it, for the stomach's sake; being of opinion that labour is a form of worship, and well understanding that labour, whether of body or of mind, can only be performed by one in health.

This very day you shall taste of our vintage, which I have hitherto withheld from you, lest it should overheat your languid blood.' Many other questions did Basil ask concerning the rule of the monastery.

He learned that the day was equitably portioned out (worship apart) between manual and mental work.

During summer, the cooler hours of morning and afternoon were spent in the field, and the middle of the day in study; winter saw this order reversed.

On Sunday the monks laboured not with their hands, and thought only of the Word of God.