How to Quarrel

Merton T (trans) (1960)
The Wisdom of the Desert - sayings from the Desert Fathers of the Fourth Century;
Shambala Pocket Editions 1994; ISBN 0877739765

Two brothers had lived together for many years and never had a quarrel. One day the first said: 'Let's have a quarrel like men in the outside do'.

The second replied: 'But I don't know how to have a quarrel'.

So the first said: 'Look, I'll put down a brick between us and I'll say: "It's mine". Then you must reply: "No, it's mine". And so the quarrel will begin'.

So they found a brick and put it between them and the first said: 'It's mine', and the second said: 'No, it's mine'.

Then the first replied: 'Oh well then, it's yours, take it'.

So they did not succeed in having a quarrel.