CROWN OF ALL VIRTUES

This is third in the series of articles written by the author on Spirituality, Freemasonry, etc.         

The four cardinal virtues taught in the first degree in freemasonry are Fortitude, Temperance, Prudence  and Justice, the reason being most morals depend on the above four virtues. The four virtues are intertwined and cannot be separated from one another. The above four virtues are the forerunners for the evolvement of the Soul which we will appreciate as we read on.

Temperance is generally considered the foremost of the four and hence the crown of all virtues.

The Holy Bible defines the word Temperance as  “moderation, self control and self restraint in what one says or how one acts. In other words it amounts to having control over our emotions and tempers. For example, if we get up from dinner without a second helping, we are practicing temperance. The Bible goes on to add that If we hold our self back from responding with  a sarcastic comment, even though someone may provoke us, we are practicing temperance.”

Temperance in some circles has come to mean complete abstinence from alcoholic drinks, but that is not its original meaning. There are some Masonic bodies who believe in total abstinence from alcohol which is not intended in freemasonry.  Moderation is stressed.

Temperance arises out of reasonable compassion for the fellow beings, something similar to, but not necessarily equal to  the one we have for our close relations. Not that uncontrolled compassion which leads to pampering and which overlooks the wrong of others.  Reasonable compassion and therefore temperance also involves overlooking and forgiving the earlier wrongs of anyone so that our present decisions and acts are not prejudiced by the past. It is only when a situation is handled with prejudice and bias that temperance takes a hit. The underlying assumption when dealing with any brother  is that all are children of God and every SOUL  is pure and innocent. After all no one is above errors. The presupposition of the other person being cruel or bad needs to be curbed.

Compassion and therefore temperance is a quality that cannot be read from books and learnt. It is a feeling that  comes from the heart and by constant practice and awarenes it becomes a habit and a way of living.  It has a beginning at our homes when dealing with our parents, brothers, sisters, children. etc. If at home there is no temperance there will be no temperance in our day to day dealings with our fellow men and brethren in the lodge. As it has a connection with our souls it is therefore sacred.

An example or two at this stage will be in order.  

Sanctions and refusals for Masonic grants or charity, if made after proper verification of details and application of mind can be termed as  tempered decisions.  If we can feel the agony of a brother in distress,  it is very easy to have temperance. That is why we see that at certain Masonic meetings no sooner a deserving case for charity is brought  out, spot collections are made which are sometimes very huge though the Lodge funds may  not be adequate.

Very often an undeserving person can be the  beneficiary of  Masonic charity  due to over compassion or other irrelevant considerations. I have known of a Brother who took yearly aids from a Grand Lodge  for several years, though  he did not need that after a few years.   There was  an abundance of compassion, but temperance was found wanting in the process. Therefore compassion with temperance is important.

Sometimes a charity is sanctioned to a Brother or his family by the Lodge and year after year we expect the beneficiary to present himself with the progress report and explain. Here again a certain level of skepticism creeps in, though sound temperance was exhibited initially. Many of us do not trust the beneficiary to say I have overcome my problems and I do not need the aid any more. This is  conditional temperance and should  be avoided unless the same is  inevitable. After all no mason with dignity and self respect  would  like to be a recipient of  aid  for ever. Rather than calling the beneficiary to present himself before the Board, we can make inquiries and come to a conclusion.  Little do we realise that this sort of a presentation has a devastating effect on the aid receiver’s psyche. The charity receiver, if offended by this approach, would not even speak to other masons or public in general about the charities offered by masonry, leave alone even an appreciation.  

Handling difference of views in the Lodge is also a tricky matter and temperance plays a key role. Our Worshipful Master is supposed to be a paragon of good virtues and excellence with the sense of temperance in abundance. However we find sometimes that the Worshipful Master is not serious and handles differences in an intemperate and controversial manner. Some are even known to brush aside the Grand Lodge Laws which  causes immense  damage to the harmony  in the Lodge. With temperance this issue can also be settled amicably.

Temperance in life and in Lodge matters begin at  home as said earlier  i.e. with an elderly person at Home and which quality follows the Worshipful Master in the Lodge. If they are  seen to be operating in a temperate manner the rest of the members can be expected to follow suit. But if it so  happens that when the head changes, particularly in the Lodge, new rules and lobbyists take charge and there is a change of overall attitude. Temperance is the biggest casuality in such cases.

Patience is another quality which leads to temperance in decision making. Unless we are in a hurry with an ulterior motive, we do not show impatience when taking a decision.

There are times, when we see promptings by brethren  who claim to be Seniors  or Grand Instructors. An element of arrogance is sometimes seen in their promptings and there are  instances where differences of opinion have been openly aired. While some brethren have humbly swallowed the insults, others  have openly protested and argued in the open Lodge leading to animosity.  The arrogance and superiority complex if replaced by temperance and sincerity will lead to a healthy relationship in the Lodge.

Temperance in our thoughts, words and deeds is the sine qua non and the first of the four key virtues which is the cornerstone for brotherly relations to flourish.

In thoughts we should not be biased or have ulterior motives. Groupism and forming teams to achieve ulterior motives should be discouraged by every right thinking Mason. Forgiveness has to be cultivated and promoted as it is a quality which leads to temperance.

Our words should not be insulting to others no matter how truthful they are and how wrong the others are.

When we lack temperance, it adversely affects  fortitude, prudence and justice. 

Our deeds should reflect that the action taken has been a temperate one and on consideration of all that matters and all that mattered. Since temperance is a quality associated with  feelings,  it has a great bearing on our Souls.

The substance of this paper has very nicely been articulated in this blog of the State College Masonic Lodge No. 700 F & AM on the topic “The Three Great Principles and Four Cardinal Virtues of Masonry”. It  makes  a very powerful statement  on the  benefits accruing to the individual and our collective Souls as a result of following temperance in our day to day life and in particular  Masonry.

“Temperance is more peculiarly the virtue of prosperity as it guards the Soul against those insidious allurements by which its nobler feelings are more often corrupted. But her influence is not confined to the hours of prosperity alone. She forms the mind to a general habit of restraint over its appetites, its passions, and even its virtues, any of which if allowed to acquire excessive influence over the Soul would concentrate the faculties in a single point, absorb its feelings, and confine its energies insensibly producing intolerance of sentiment, and degenerating into an excess scarcely less pernicious than vice itself. Temperance may, therefore, be styled the crown of all the virtues. Her influence, like the masters of the ancient lyre, can modulate the varied chords of lively sympathy, or generous feelings, till each acquires its due tone and vibration, and the whole become blended in one sweet accordant harmony.”

The above statement can be analysed and discussed at length and is a topic by itself which I shall leave for a future date. Lust, anger and greediness are qualities associated with sense gratification and are hinderances to spiritual progress. Temperance enables the evolution of the Soul to greater levels.  Suffice it to say that temperance is a noble trait that Freemasonry lays emphasis on and lack of it is no worse than a vice.

Written by : T.S.Sridhar