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I like the image of Prudence presented here. Have you again in 2016 (talk about a lasting theme). Speaking of
ever heard one person ask another person, “I don’t know Seven – how about the movie Se7en (1995) – (yes, this is
how you can look yourself in the mirror?” Well, this cuts how the movie is spelled). Even the movie 9 to 5 starring
to the bone of temperance. Dolly Parton was based on justice (or revenge). The list is
almost endless…
The issues at play here are discernment versus willpower.
Discerning (or knowing) what is right is the easy part. We, as Freemasons, need to ensure that we don’t get
Stepping up and doing it is the hard part. This is what swept up in battles that hinge on revenge, but instead
separates a moral man from a man who may not make focus on justice – what is right.
the moral choice. You’ll notice that I did not say that
someone who does not do the right thing is automatically Finally, we consider Fortitude. I want to discuss this virtue
immoral. It takes a pattern to be an immoral man, not last for a reason. Fortitude is defined as courage in the
one decision. face of pain or adversity (Merriam-Webster, 2024).
Next, we will discuss Temperance. The This is where the cost of masonic morality
virtue of Temperance is the quality lies. Courage in the face of scorn,
of moderation or self-restraint. In adversity, or ridicule is what we all aspire
circumscribing our actions, we need to to do. However, this is the hardest of all
be careful not to offend our brothers and the masonic virtues to attain.
attempt to reach consensus whenever
possible. This is particularly important Brother Sir Winston Churchill said it best
when we are engaged in an issue for “There is only one duty – try to be right
which we have great passion. Passion, or and do not fear to say, or do, what is
the emotion that we bring to an issue, can right.” Of course, if you’ve studied history,
lead us to be careless or imprudent in our you know that Churchill also made a lot
action. of enemies along the way – not only in
Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. He
How about Justice? Many people in today’s society is famous for saying, “You have enemies?
confuse justice with revenge. These are two very different Good. That means you’ve stood up for something,
motivations. Justice is often described as being blind. sometime in your life.”
It is characterized this way because true The Cost
justice is not political, emotional, or
vengeful. Justice is supposed to be blind We all know what the right thing to do is in most
to any issue that may sway an equal and circumstances. So why do we have difficulty doing it?
impartial approach to the truth. In doing There can be several reasons: Our passion for the issue
so, Justice will be fair and impartial – is not high enough for the cost; We are fearful of public
regardless of what distractions may ridicule (yes, ridicule for doing the right thing); We are
attempt to sway it. fearful of how we might be attacked if we speak out.
There are dozens of reasons we don’t do what we know
The frustration we as humans tend to we should do.
have with this issue is that we are usually
emotionally attached to a circumstance in Leading a moral and ethical life will make you unpopular
which we believe we have been wronged. with many people who do not lead their lives in that way.
The result of this is we sometimes disagree They will attack you and attempt to discredit you. They
with the outcomes. will smear your good name and question your honor.
However, if we stick to the virtues of Fortitude, Prudence,
Revenge, on the other hand, is emotional, can be Temperance, and Justice, you will be living an upright and
irrational, and is usually a leap to judgment. This can be level masonic life. This will be an example to everyone.
very dangerous – not only for society as a whole, but for
our fraternity. Living in the state of masonic morality will cost you. It can
cost you friendships; it can cost you business associates,
It’s very easy to get these two issues confused with one possibly even family. It can cost you money –skirting
another. So easy, in fact, that there’s an entire movie legality can literally be cheaper. The simplest things
industry built around the issue. Just think about some can fall into this territory – e.g. not feeding the parking
of the movies that have been made revolving around meter when you know you should, knowing you were
the issues of justice and revenge: The John Wick series; accidentally charged less for something you purchased
the entire Star Wars franchise; the entire Hunger Games and not advising the cashier, etc. These can be the
franchise; The Seven Samurai (1954) which spawned the smallest of issues, but the biggest breach of character as
movie The Magnificent Seven (1960) and was remade yet a Freemason.
Montana Freemason Page 14 June/July 2024 Volume 100 No.3
