Day 12: Chapter 2: What Kind of Man the Abbot Ought to Be

Let him make no distinction of persons in the monastery.
Let him not love one more than another,
unless it be one whom he finds better
in good works or in obedience.
Let him not advance one of noble birth
ahead of one who was formerly a slave,
unless there be some other reasonable ground for it.
But if the Abbot for just reason think fit to do so,
let him advance one of any rank whatever.
Otherwise let them keep their due places;
because, whether slaves or freemen, we are all one in Christ (Gal. 3:28)
and bear in equal burden of service
in the army of the same Lord.
For with God there is no respect of persons (Rom. 2:11).
Only for one reason are we preferred in His sight:
if we be found better than others in good works and humility.
Therefore let the Abbot show equal love to all
and impose the same discipline on all
according to their deserts.