Read this excerpt from a book of rules for monks. Idleness is the enemy of the soul. And therefore, at fixed times, the brothers ought to be occupied in manual labour; and again, at fixed times, in sacred reading. On the basis of this excerpt, what is of central importance for a monk?

The excerpt says idleness is harmful, so monks should fill their time with either manual labor or sacred reading. The central idea is staying occupied in one way or another. It does not emphasize resting or working together, and it calls for reading at fixed times rather than studying constantly.

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