Morals

Freemasonry is a philanthropic and progressive institution having as aim the search of truth, the study of moral and the practice of solidarity. Freemasonry looks for the human improvement, other moral and material and the intellectual and social progress of Humanity. Freemasonry has, as its core values, the mutual tolerance, the respect to others and himself, the absolute liberty of conscience. These are, more or less, the words that opens every statute, by-laws, or constitution of any masonic craft (obedience) in the world. We may observe that the moral principles are here well emphasized. The freemason works in a non-dogmatic way, in the obedience, and he should distinguish the good from the evil, the virtu from the vices, insofar looking to put himself in the pathway to morality. The Constitutions, as the works in general, argue that the study of morals will make the freemason benefit from its learning outside the walls of the temple, because throughout it he participates in the improvement, the betterness of humanity. The declaration of principles of the International Congress of Lausanne (1875) define it in this way: "our moral, is the purest moral, the saintest moral; it is based in the first of all virtues: the humanity (the sense of human nature). The true freemason make the good, extending its help and assistance to the poor and disabled, whatever they are, according with its capacities. He can prevent looking to immorality with displeasure and sorrow" . If the style of declaration is somehow outdated, the reflection about letting the metals at the doorstep of the temple should instigate a true reflection among freemasons on our sense of morality and the values we cherish. In a time of lack of values, of disbelieve, or materialism, we should raise the principles that are our common ground, our ashlar and pass them to the others, in our daily life. 

Quotation: Mark Twain.