The Cardinal Virtues
The Cardinal Virtues
Brethren,
Brethren,
Freemasonry teaches us four great virtues:
Freemasonry teaches us four great virtues:
Temperance.
Temperance.
Fortitude.
Fortitude.
Prudence.
Prudence.
And Justice.
And Justice.
They are called the Cardinal Virtues.
They are called the Cardinal Virtues.
The word cardinal comes from a word meaning hinge.
The word cardinal comes from a word meaning hinge.
Just as a door turns upon its hinges, the moral life of a man may be said to turn upon these four principles.
Just as a door turns upon its hinges, the moral life of a man may be said to turn upon these four principles.
Each is important by itself.
Each is important by itself.
But together, they form a foundation upon which good character may be built.
But together, they form a foundation upon which good character may be built.
The first is Temperance.
The first is Temperance.
Temperance teaches self-control.
Temperance teaches self-control.
It reminds us that our appetites, passions, words, and emotions should be governed by reason rather than impulse.
It reminds us that our appetites, passions, words, and emotions should be governed by reason rather than impulse.
Temperance does not demand that we reject every pleasure in life.
Temperance does not demand that we reject every pleasure in life.
It teaches us not to become servants to the things we enjoy.
It teaches us not to become servants to the things we enjoy.
A man may possess wealth without allowing wealth to possess him.
A man may possess wealth without allowing wealth to possess him.
He may experience anger without allowing anger to govern him.
He may experience anger without allowing anger to govern him.
He may enjoy success without becoming consumed by pride.
He may enjoy success without becoming consumed by pride.
Temperance asks a difficult question:
Temperance asks a difficult question:
“Do I govern myself…
“Do I govern myself…
Or am I governed by my desires?”
Or am I governed by my desires?”
The second virtue is Fortitude.
The second virtue is Fortitude.
Fortitude is courage.
Fortitude is courage.
But courage is not the absence of fear.
But courage is not the absence of fear.
It is the decision to do what is right even when fear is present.
It is the decision to do what is right even when fear is present.
Sometimes Fortitude is dramatic.
Sometimes Fortitude is dramatic.
It may call a man to stand against danger or defend another from harm.
It may call a man to stand against danger or defend another from harm.
But more often, courage is quiet.
But more often, courage is quiet.
It is admitting when we are wrong.
It is admitting when we are wrong.
It is speaking the truth when silence would be easier.
It is speaking the truth when silence would be easier.
It is standing alone when principle requires it.
It is standing alone when principle requires it.
It is continuing forward when life becomes difficult.
It is continuing forward when life becomes difficult.
Fortitude gives us the strength to remain faithful when doing right carries a cost.
Fortitude gives us the strength to remain faithful when doing right carries a cost.
The third virtue is Prudence.
The third virtue is Prudence.
Prudence is wisdom applied to action.
Prudence is wisdom applied to action.
It teaches us to pause before we speak…
It teaches us to pause before we speak…
To consider before we act…
To consider before we act…
And to look beyond the present moment toward the consequences that may follow.
And to look beyond the present moment toward the consequences that may follow.
A prudent man understands that words cannot always be recalled.
A prudent man understands that words cannot always be recalled.
That anger can destroy in moments what friendship required years to build.
That anger can destroy in moments what friendship required years to build.
And that a decision made in haste may leave consequences that endure long after the emotion has passed.
And that a decision made in haste may leave consequences that endure long after the emotion has passed.
Prudence does not make a man fearful.
Prudence does not make a man fearful.
It makes him thoughtful.
It makes him thoughtful.
The fourth virtue is Justice.
The fourth virtue is Justice.
Justice teaches us to deal fairly with every person.
Justice teaches us to deal fairly with every person.
Not merely with those we like.
Not merely with those we like.
Not only with those who agree with us.
Not only with those who agree with us.
But with all mankind.
But with all mankind.
Justice asks us to judge others by the same standard we hope will be applied to ourselves.
Justice asks us to judge others by the same standard we hope will be applied to ourselves.
It reminds us that friendship should not excuse wrongdoing…
It reminds us that friendship should not excuse wrongdoing…
Nor should disagreement prevent fairness.
Nor should disagreement prevent fairness.
Justice requires honesty without cruelty…
Justice requires honesty without cruelty…
Mercy without favoritism…
Mercy without favoritism…
And equality without prejudice.
And equality without prejudice.
Yet perhaps the greatest lesson of the Cardinal Virtues is found in the way they depend upon one another.
Yet perhaps the greatest lesson of the Cardinal Virtues is found in the way they depend upon one another.
Temperance without Fortitude may know what should be controlled but lack the courage to exercise restraint.
Temperance without Fortitude may know what should be controlled but lack the courage to exercise restraint.
Fortitude without Prudence may become recklessness.
Fortitude without Prudence may become recklessness.
Prudence without Justice may become selfish calculation.
Prudence without Justice may become selfish calculation.
And Justice without Temperance may become harsh and unforgiving.
And Justice without Temperance may become harsh and unforgiving.
Together, they bring balance.
Together, they bring balance.
Temperance governs our desires.
Temperance governs our desires.
Fortitude strengthens our resolve.
Fortitude strengthens our resolve.
Prudence guides our decisions.
Prudence guides our decisions.
Justice governs our dealings with others.
Justice governs our dealings with others.
These virtues are not decorations for the Lodge room.
These virtues are not decorations for the Lodge room.
They are tools for daily life.
They are tools for daily life.
They are tested when patience grows thin.
They are tested when patience grows thin.
When temptation appears.
When temptation appears.
When fear whispers that silence would be easier.
When fear whispers that silence would be easier.
When anger urges us to speak before wisdom has had time to answer.
When anger urges us to speak before wisdom has had time to answer.
When fairness requires us to defend someone with whom we disagree.
When fairness requires us to defend someone with whom we disagree.
Brethren, none of us practices these virtues perfectly.
Brethren, none of us practices these virtues perfectly.
The goal of Masonry is not to convince us that we have already arrived.
The goal of Masonry is not to convince us that we have already arrived.
It is to remind us that there is always more work to be done.
It is to remind us that there is always more work to be done.
Perhaps we should ask ourselves at the close of each day:
Perhaps we should ask ourselves at the close of each day:
Did Temperance govern my desires?
Did Temperance govern my desires?
Did Fortitude strengthen me to do what was right?
Did Fortitude strengthen me to do what was right?
Did Prudence guide my words and decisions?
Did Prudence guide my words and decisions?
Did Justice govern my treatment of others?
Did Justice govern my treatment of others?
If we can answer those questions honestly…
If we can answer those questions honestly…
And labor tomorrow to improve where we fell short…
And labor tomorrow to improve where we fell short…
Then the Cardinal Virtues will become more than lessons we learned in Masonry.
Then the Cardinal Virtues will become more than lessons we learned in Masonry.
They will become qualities by which others recognize a Mason.
They will become qualities by which others recognize a Mason.
Thank you, my Brethren.
Thank you, my Brethren.
Tony Fain P.M.
Tony Fain P.M.
Springville Lodge #153
Springville Lodge #153
Powder Springs, Ga.
Powder Springs, Ga.