General Rules of the Freemasons, with a Discourse on the Purpose of Masonry

Superiors so frequently praise; that zeal, which must be maintained through diligent meetings and increased through association with upright Brothers.

Discretion. original: "Verschwiegenheit"; the quality of being tight-lipped or keeping silence Among the qualities that one might call virtues of the Order, discretion holds the most prominent place; to it, the Order entrusts its secrets, because it intends to be secure under its protection. This virtue is not as easy to practice as one might think; there are people for whom a secret seems to be an unbearable burden. They have the habit of making it known that they are supposed to be keeping something quiet, and this is the first step toward discovery. A F. M. abbreviation for "Freimaurer" (Freemason) avoids this childish behavior; regarding even the greatest secrets, his speech must be so regulated and indifferent as if he knew nothing, and in this way, silence costs no effort.

Prudence original: "Behutsamkeit"; implies caution, circumspection, and carefulness in action must accompany discretion, yet it extends even further than the latter, for it gives—