Avoiding Division

Nam quemadmodum carnales adhuc et imbeciles fratres ob vilem terrenamque substantiam cito inimicus ille disjungit, ita etiam inter spiritales gignit pro intellectuum diversitate discordiam. Ex quae sine dubio contentiones rixaeque verborum, quas Apostolus damnat, plerumque consurgunt; unde consequenter divortia inter unanimes fratres hostis invidus ac malignus interserit. Vera est namque sapientissimi Salomonis illa sententia, Odium suscitat contentio; universos vero qui non contendunt, protegit amicitia. Sanctus Ioannes Cassianus, Collationes, Collatio XVI, De Amicitia, Caput VIII Source: Migne PL 49.1023b-1024a

For as the enemy swiftly separates brothers who are yet carnal and weak on account of some petty and worldly matter, so among the spiritual he brings forth discord on account of a difference of understanding, from which without doubt those contentions and quarrels about words, which the Apostle condemns, 1 for the most part arise, whence consequently our envious and malignant enemy places division between brethren who were of one mind. For true is the statement of the most wise Solomon: 'Strife stirs up hatred, but friendship protects all who do not stir up strife.' 2 Saint John Cassian, Conferences, from Conference 16, On Friendship, Chap 8 1 Galat 5 2 Prov 10.12