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

...useful belongs to the whole world, as soon as the one who discovered this utility suffers no disadvantage thereby? Latin: "Whatever can be granted without loss should be given even to a stranger." R. v. S. notes: "We have already cited this little saying further above." Cicero, De Officiis, Book I, Chapter 16. Does that not mean failing to recognize the essence of friendship, which wills that among friends all things should be in common? Latin: "Among friends, all things are in common." Cicero, De Officiis, Book I, Chapter 16. (*) So, even among a hundred thousand friends who were not chosen by oneself? R. v. S. At least Pythagoras the ancient Greek philosopher says this. Is it not inhuman to refuse an honest and useful thing when it could be given away without costing us the least bit? Latin: "Things that are useful to those who receive them, and not burdensome to the giver." Cicero, De Officiis, Book I, Chapter 16. Note well that I am only ever speaking of those who can rightfully claim such knowledge, but not of those frivolous, empty people who have no use for it, nor of scoffers who would desecrate it, nor of those false and dangerous people who would abuse it, nor finally of those who have not yet endured the time of trial.

There are many other errors which displace, tear apart, or destroy the order of a society.

...destroy. But let us stop at the six kinds we have developed. These alone will divide the spirits, leading one branch to this point and another to that, so that they never arrive at simple goals.

Why, however, does one find individual members in certain societies who insist on keeping knowledge of which they boast secret, since they could communicate it without any harm? Would it not be sad if perhaps the rage to rule, the spirit of despotism that dwelt within them, drove them to it? It can sometimes be the case that one wants to appropriate something for oneself through a supremacy that would fall away if it came to light that the "great science" was either entirely contrary to the first intention of the union, or at least did not relate to the purpose at all; then one certainly prefers to hide it behind the veil of mystery, and so forth.

Let us summarize everything and frankly confess: 1.) that the individual main members of a society, if they do not know its purpose, cannot work toward the welfare of the society, nor arrange their conduct according to the essence of the purpose; consequently they wander at random, as if the society had no purpose, which is contrary to the fundamental...