TEMPERANCE FORTITUDE and PRUDENCE
Masonic Service Association - Short Talk
Bulletin - November 1977
This Short Talk was written by Illustrious
Brother Alphonse Cerza, 33d, the widely known
author of Masonic book-reviews and essays, as
well as of books like Anti-Masonry and A
Masonic Thought for Each Day of the Year. His
contributions to the publications of the
Masonic Service Association include Digests
like Let There Be Light and The Truth Is
Stranger Than Fiction. His consent to publish
this Short Talk "for good and wholesome
instruction" is deeply appreciated.
Freemasonry is sometimes described as a
school which teaches men a way of life which
has met the test of time. We do not have a
monopoly on the teaching of moral Truths, but
we do have a special way of teaching which is
both interesting and effective. Freemasonry
teaches its members all the cardinal virtues
which are designed to make its members better
men, but this Short Talk will discuss only
three of them: Temperance, Fortitude and
Prudence.
TEMPERANCE
The word "temperance" has acquired an
unfortunate connotation in modern times. It
is frequently associated with the movement to
eliminate the use of alcoholic beverages. But
the word has a much broader meaning. The
Masonic definition of Temperance may be
stated briefly as follows: Temperance is that
due restraint upon our affections and
passions which renders the body tame and
governable, and frees the mind from the
allurements of vice. Every Mason is then told
that Temperance should be the constant
practice of every Mason, as he is taught to
avoid excess in all things, such as
contracting any licentious or vicious habit,
the indulgence of which might lead him to-
suffer, or to lose his health, or cause him
to lose his reputation.
In a general sense it means that one must
exercise a degree of self-restraint and
selfcontrol at all times, in all the
activities of life, including both words and
deeds. The key idea is "moderation in all
things." The idea is well illustrated in the
old statement: "All work and no play makes
Jack a dull boy." It does not mean abstinence
except in matters which are inherently bad or
harmful.
The word "temperance" comes to us from the
Latin, which means to temper or harden
according to the use intended. As a
consequence, we must recognize that there
cannot be hard and fast rules in this
subject. Each person must decide for himself
how much restraint and self-control must be
exercised in a particular situation. For
example, I like to eat apple pie; one small
piece is adequate to satisfy my desire after
a hearty meal. My neighbor might not eat as
hearty a meal, but might desire a larger
piece of apple pie. Both of us by the
exercise of self-control and by being
temperate refrain from having a second
helping.
There was a time when smoking cigarettes was
considered just a bad habit. During this
period the temperate use of cigarettes meant
that one should smoke only a moderate number
each day. Recent research has indicated that
smoking cigarettes is closely connected with
the development of cancer. Freemasonry takes
no specific position in the matter of whether
its members should smoke or not smoke; each
member is taught to make his own decision. If
he believes that smoking is bad because it is
likely to bring on cancer, he should abstain
from smoking. If he is in doubt, he should at
least be moderate in responding to his desire
for a smoke, thus reducing the hazard.
Temperance also requires him to abstain from
smoking in the presence of those who find it
distasteful or harmful.
FORTITUDE
The second principle under consideration is
that of Fortitude. It is closely related to
Temperance because very often the use of
Fortitude is necessary to being temperate in
a specific situation.
In Freemasonry Fortitude is defined as that
noble and steady purpose of the mind whereby
we are enabled to undergo any pain, peril or
danger, when prudentially deemed expedient.
The word is related to the word "fort," which
originally denoted a structure built around
something for protection. It is a word that
comes to us from the Latin and indicated not
so much a moral attitude, but rather the true
quality of manhood, as is implied that one
had strength and courage.
Fortitude, therefore, is that quality of
character which gives a person strength to
withstand temptation and to bear all
suffering in silence. Fortitude is a virtue,
for it permits one to do his duty undisturbed
by evil distractions. It is in great measure
a frame of mind to regulate one's words and
deeds with courage and with determination. It
is both a positive and a negative quality in
that it creates courage to do what is right
and also creates strength or character to
withstand intemperance. Above all else, it
also creates the mental attitude to bear
one's burden bravely when all other remedies
fail.
PRUDENCE
The third basic principle, Prudence, is
closely related to both Temperance and
Fortitude, for it is the type of yardstick
which is to be used in determining what
constitutes Temperance in a specific
situation and to what extent Fortitude should
be applied.
Freemasonry defines Prudence as that
principle which teaches us to regulate our
lives and actions agreeably to the dictates
of reason, and is that habit by which we
wisely judge, and prudently determine, the
effect of all things relative to our present
as well as our future happiness.
The application of Prudence to our everyday
life means that we will use discretion in our
acts and words; that we will use good
judgment in what we say and do; and that we
will use self-control and foresight in all
such matters. It also means that we will act
intelligently and with conscious regard of
what the consequences will be.
I mentioned that I like to eat apple pie. By
the use of Prudence I realize that if I have
had an ample meal, it is best that I have
only a small piece of apple pie for dessert.
Using Prudence helped me to realize that if I
have a large piece of apple pie, and then
have a second helping, I will feel stuffed
and suffer physical discomfort. So I decide
to be temperate in eating apple pie. I
realize the possible consequences and with
the use of Fortitude I refrain from having a
second helping. Prudence teaches me to build
a fort against my desire to satisfy unduly my
desire and taste for a second helping and
that it is best that I be temperate and have
only one small piece.
Many years ago I developed the habit of
smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. One
day I discovered that I could no longer run
up two flights of stairs without puffing like
a steam engine. When I was told by my doctor
that this was probably due to my excessive
smoking, by the use of Prudence I decided to
quit. But I needed more than just the
decision to quit smoking; I needed to realize
that this was the occasion not merely to be
temperate by reducing the number of
cigarettes I smoked each day, but to abstain
completely. This was forcibly impressed upon
my mind because the smoking was hurting me.
In order to succeed in breaking the habit I
had first to convince myself that the smoking
was doing me harm; this then brought me to
the principle of Prudence, which urged me to
stop. And then I had to use Fortitude to
accomplish the result. It took courage and
determination. And now, twenty-five years
later, I have not returned to smoking
cigarettes in spite of the alluring
television commercials we were formerly
deluged with.
Sometimes it is easy to abstain or to be
temperate. I am reminded of the familiar
witticism of the elderly Brother who said, "I
have finally learned to subdue my passions.
Mother Nature has taken care of that."
In conclusion, we would do well to remember
the words of Voltaire, a Mason, when he said:
"The richest endowments of the mind are
temperance, prudence, and fortitude. Prudence
is a universal virtue, which enters into the
composition of all the rest; and where she is
not, fortitude loses its name and nature."
Some Historical Events of December, 1777
Dec. 2: John Paul Jones and USS Ranger
arrived at Nantes, France.
Dec. 4: News of Burgoyne's defeat at Saratoga
reached American commissioners in Paris. Two
days later the French Foreign Minister, the
Comte de Vergennes, responded positively to
their overtures for negotiating a military
alliance.
Dec. 5-8: British reconnaisance forces in
Pennsylvania engaged Continentals in a number
of skirmishes at Whitemarsh, Chestnut Hill,
and Edge Hill. British General Howe, with
most of his army, followed, but fording
Washington's defenses in the Whitemarsh area
too strong for a general attack, withdrew to
Philadelphia.
Dec 11: Washington withdrew his forces from
Whitemarsh to go into winter quarters at
Valley Forge, a position more easily
defended. A large British foraging party
under Cornwallis clashed with Washington's
army at Matson's Ford, Pennsylvania, but
quickly withdrew, delaying Washington's march
to Valley Forge for several days. Thus began
the "Bitter Winter" of 1777-1778.
Dec. 13-14: Congress established the
Inspector General Department in the
Continental Army and appointed Brig. Gen.
Thomas Conway the Inspector General, a
temporary triumph for the "Conway Cabal"
against Washington.
Dec 15: Negotiations began in Paris with
British agent Paul Wentworth, which
culminated in a fruitless meeting with
Franklin, who detested and suspected
Wentworth. The French, however, aware of the
negotiations, hastened their decision to
conclude an alliance, and so informed the
American commissioners on December 17.
Dec. 22-28: 7000 British soldiers under Howe
left Philadelphia on a large foraging
expedition, but were followed and harassed by
an American contingent under Col. Daniel
Morgan, who captured a few British.
Dec 29: Near Wilmington, Delaware, Gen.
William Smallwood sent 100 men to capture a
British transport that had run aground. They
took 68 soldiers and a dozen seamen.
Late Dec.: At Fort Randolph, Point Pleasant,
West Virginia, a part of Capt. William
McKee's Virginia militia were ambushed by
Indians.
POTS
Freemasonry is an establishment founded on the benevolent
intention of extending and conferring mutual happiness upon the
best and truest principles of moral life and social virtue. - CALCOTT.
George Helmer FPS
PM Norwood #90 GRA
PZ Norwood #18 RAM
MBBFMN #362
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