MASONIC VIRTUES
From The Grand Lodge of Texas
As Masons, we are taught to symbolically use the Common Gavel
and the other implements of Masonry to transform the Rough Ashlar into a
Perfect Ashlar that is properly prepared to serve its building purpose.
The Rough and Perfect Ashlars are two of the movable Jewels of the Lodge.
The Rough Ashlar is a stone taken from the quarry in its rude and natural
state while the Perfect Ashlar is a the stone after it has been cut,
squared and fitted for the builders use.
As Masonic symbols they teach a moral lesson. The Rough Ashlar
represents man in his imperfect state and symbolizes the uneducated man
unaware of his potential. The Perfect Ashlar represents the educated man
who is striving to perfect his relationship to God and his fellow man.
Throughout the Masonic initiation process, the initiate is constantly
admonished to develop his mental and spiritual self. This development
should be a continual task and, in this sense, Masonry should be
considered a life-long journey as we strengthen ourselves intellectually
and morally. The Rough and Perfect Ashlars represents the Mason’s
transformation from an imperfect state to a state of perfection at which
he hopes to arrive by a virtuous education and the blessings of God.
Within our Masonic education, we are exposed to issues related
to fraternity and equality. The basic concept being that no man should
consider himself better than another, that he should always be willing to
contribute his time, talent, and resources to the betterment of Masonry
and mankind in general, and to teach the principles of Masonry to our
fellow Mason. However, before we can teach others Masonic principles we
must understand and live those principles.
The lessons taught revolve around characteristics of moral
excellence and responsibility that we should strive to emulate in our
daily lives, within our families, as citizens in society, and in our
Lodges. We can think of these virtues as ashlars or building blocks
waiting to be arranged upon the Trestleboard where we are constructing our
perfect moral and Masonic building.
What are these virtues? There are many and only a few are
listed here: Prudence, Temperance, Chastity, Sobriety, Zeal, Honor,
Fidelity, Punctuality, Forgiveness, Charity, Kindness, Generosity,
Gratitude to God, Love of Mankind, Confidence in Human Nature, Truth,
Justice, and Toleration.
As a Mason, one must strive to develop a character of moral
uprightness. He must be true to his convictions, always follow the Masonic
virtues, and resist the pressures of the world to lower one’s own
standards. As Masons, we should be pillars of society and try to lift
others up to a higher standard of moral and righteous living. As men and
Masons our lives must be founded upon the highest principals of morality,
integrity, and honesty.
Time does not permit each of these virtues to be discussed.
Instead we would like to concentrate for a few minutes upon the last three
Masonic virtues, which can be characterized as the crown of Masonic
virtues, Toleration, Justice, and Truth.
Toleration. Toleration is the ability to respect the nature,
beliefs, or behavior of others. Masonry teaches that every man has the
right to his opinions and beliefs. No man has the right to dictate to
another in matters of faith. Many in society have equated toleration with
the acceptance of those beliefs and actions that are morally wrong.
Toleration does not teach this view. While Masons should be tolerate of
views that are contrary to our own, it does not mean we must accept those
beliefs when they are morally wrong or conflict with the laws of God.
Masons must practice toleration in our dealings with others and respect
the right of the individual to his own faith and to form his own opinions.
Masons must be defenders of toleration
Justice. Justice is equity, honor, and fairness in one’s dealings
with others. It is moral rightness. Masons should judge others as we judge
ourselves. We should always look for the good in others and their actions.
We should believe everyone is honest and sincere in his beliefs and
actions. Justice gives everyone his due, is not rash or censorious, nor
hates sin so much that it loves mankind too little. As Masons were are
encouraged to stand upright in our beliefs and deal justly with our
fellowman.
Truth. Truth is the crowning virtue of Masonry. Truth can symbolize
divinity and is the foundation of every virtue. The dictionary defines
truth as fidelity to a standard and conformity to fact or actuality. Truth
is most often used to mean correspondence to fact or with what actually
occurred. As Masons, we should be sincere in all our dealings with others.
Society today has a twisted perception of truth. People look for ways to
pervert what actually occurred or was said to fulfill their own selfish
goals. As Masons, we should stand for truthfulness and abhor the
perversion of truth.
We should all strive to emulate the Masonic virtues.
Toleration, Justice, and Truth: the great lights of Masonry. May they
shine in our lives and in our lodges. back to top
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