Page 34 - MFM Nov Dec 2021

MASONIC Jack Levitt, MWPGM-CA,

ETHICS

Principles of

Freemasons

What has happened to the ethics revered and - "Do you imagine that a state can subsist.......in which
generally followed in the past? Mass cheating and the decisions of law have no power, but are set aside
public scandals are the trend today. Worse yet, and overthrown by individuals?. The answer Socrates
despite knowledge of misconduct, violators are not received to this was "No." Thus Socrates accepted his
turned in. Today, more and more Freemasons are death sentence, even though believing it to be unjust,
violating the tenets of the Institution of Freemasonry. rather than violate the law himself. He had made an
Code sections and various time-honored regulations agreement with the State that he would duly obey its
are being misinterpreted or ignored in attempts to laws and had not sought to change them. Socrates
increase membership. Lack of respect for the views thus valued his oath and obligations as sacred and,
of others and like matters disturbing the harmony in not having sought to change the law of his State,
Lodges are becoming more frequent. obeyed them. Can Freemasons do less involving laws
that do not endanger their lives, but merely how they
Not too long ago conduct was self-imposed; it manage them? Can they not be expected to obey
sprang from core beliefs. At one time students signed their oaths and obligations and abide by the laws of
a paper "pledging one's honor as a gentleman that no the Craft, especially if they have taken no action to
assistance was given or received." change them?

Agreements used to be made solely by the shaking Honor, along with duty, form the bedrock of
of hands, and a man's word was his bond. Trust and human character. Today, many who see an injustice
adherence to truth was the standard of conduct for or are dissatisfied with a status do nothing. Others
Freemasons. This sense of honor is largely unobserved betray the right. Toleration of misconduct makes the
and probably not comprehended by much of our person who tolerates equally guilty of malfeasance.
society nowadays. Freemasons, however, are suppose Ethics rules, unlike most laws, are observed only by
to be ethical before they become Freemasons and, as ethical people, who don't need them. Honor codes
such, are taught to think and act ethically. are meaningless to individuals without a sense of
honor. Freemasons who breach the Constitution
Bobby Jones, the noted golfer, who often called and Ordinances (Statutes) of their Grand Lodge, or
penalties on himself, once remarked to one who the By-Laws of their Lodges, not only violate their
praised him for this and other acts of sportsmanship obligations, but are individuals without a sense of
- "You might as well praise a man for not breaking honor. Those who have knowledge of those breaches
into banks. There is only one way to play this game and do nothing are likewise guilty of malfeasance. An
and that's by the rules". The principle behind this observation of such inherently immoral action is set
simple observation should be self-evident to all right- forth in the Volume of Sacred Law, "For what is a man
thinking people. profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his
own soul?".
There are many other instances in history of men
with a firm understanding of and adherence to Freemasonry's only dogma consists of moral
ethics. One in particular involves Socrates, the Greek principles requiring only common sense to understand
Philosopher, who, when advised by Crito to escape them. T. R. Fehrenbach, an editorial writer, observed
from prison to avoid his sentence of death, asks several that ethics is - Do right if you can; above all do no
Questions. He asked - "are we to say that we are never harm; and if questionable, do not do it, whatever the
intentionally to do wrong......or is doing wrong always law allows. Freemasonry sets a higher standard to
evil and dishonorable......? Crito answered "Yes." He always do right. Its ritual includes references to: purity
then asked -"Ought a man to do what he admits to be of life and conduct; being good and true; practicing
right......? Crito again answered "Yes." He finally asked the domestic and public virtues; squaring our actions

Montana Freemason Page 34 Nov/Dec Volume 97 No.5