Chapter 31: The qualities required by the cellarer (paragraphs 2-3)

Among the most important qualities the cellarer needs to cultivate is humility and the ability to give a pleasant answer even when a request must be refused. (From para. 2 of Ch. 31 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

Benedict pegs a pleasant manner to humility. To me, this is a kindness born of true self-knowledge, not of a selfish desire (or fear) to please. I pray that my manners may be ever more sincerely rooted in my heart.