Abhandlung über die allgemeine Zusammenkunft der Freymaurer, bei den Gesundbrunnen in Wilhelmsbad

live together in the most sacred intimacy? Well then, my brothers! This society is the Society of Freemasons. For what is a true Freemason? Is he not a man of the most conscientious integrity, who fulfills his duties with the warmest zeal toward the Supreme Being, toward his fatherland, his family, and his friends? He loves the truth, which he seeks without ceasing. He flees lies and deceit. He strives for wisdom and feels that he can only find it in the practice of virtue, virtue which is simple even though it branches out in many directions. (a) He follows it upon all these branches, without ambition, without boasting, for its own sake, and for his own sake. Charitable, as much by taste as by duty, he is constantly driven by the liveliest desire to provide the greatest sum of happiness for his fellow humans. When he makes a happy discovery through experiments and research which could bring benefit and advantage to his brother, then he hastens to communicate it to him. He goes toward those who need his help, assisting them with wise advice, with his purse, and with grounds for consolation. He is the most tender and selfless friend. (b)

(a) Plato’s Dialogues, Protagoras.
(b) original Latin: "Homines autem hominum caussa esse generatos, ut ipsi inter se aliis alii prodesse possent." Men were brought into being for the sake of men, so that they might be able to benefit one another.

Freemasons have a perfect equality of morals, the same will, and the same passions. They constitute only one being, so closely are they linked by the bonds of friendship. (c)

The true Freemason flies to the Temple of Justice and saves oppressed innocence through his eloquence. He watches over the glory of his fatherland in the cabinet. He rushes out with weapons in hand for the defense of his fellow citizens. If he possesses neither the talent of eloquence, nor that of the statesman, nor that of the soldier, then at least it speaks for him that he is just, truthful, charitable, modest, and temperate, and he fulfills a destiny which makes those

This text continues the Latin citation from footnote (b) above ...In this, we ought to follow nature as our leader: to bring common utilities into the center, by the exchange of duties, by giving and receiving, and to bind the society of men among men by arts, by labor, and by faculties. Cicero, On Duties, Book I, Chapter 7.

(c) original Latin: "Nihil autem est amabilius, nec copulatius quam morum similitudo bonorum..." Moreover, nothing is more lovable or more joining than the similarity of good morals. For in those in whom there are the same studies and the same wills, it happens that each one is delighted by the other as much as by himself; and that is achieved which Pythagoras Ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician wants in friendship: that one is made from many. Cicero, On Duties, Book I, Chapter 17.