"Our Cardinal Virtues"
St. George Utah Visitation
Allen W. Record, W. Grand Orator

Most Worshipful Grand Master, Past Grand Masters, Worshipful Masters, Brethren, and friends, it is my pleasure to be here today and deliver this oration. The title of todays oration is “Our Cardinal Virtues”.

In the lecture of the Entered Apprentice Degree, we are taught about the perfect points of our entrance, which are represented by the four Cardinal Virtues, Temperance, Prudence, Fortitude, and Justice. Of course the names of these virtues are all we are taught at that time. We are then told that the explanations are monitorial, and that we are expected to make ourselves throughly familiar with them at our earliest convenience. I thought that today, we would spend a few minutes discussing these four cardinal virtues, explore their origins, and see how they apply to us as individuals and to our Lodges in general.

The four cardinal virtues are not unique to Freemasonry, rather they were first considered a cardinal or vital part of the Hellenistic period of ancient Greece. This period was from 323 BC until the advent of the Christianity in the 3rd Century. They were adopted by Christianity in all it’s forms and also by several other religions throughout the world. In fact, what we know as the four cardinal virtues can be found in part, in the five precepts taught by Buddha. The term “cardinal” comes from the Latin cardo or hinge; the cardinal virtues are so called because they are hinges upon which the door of the moral life swings.

Temperance as defined by our Monitor is that due restraint upon our affections and passions which renders the body tame and governable, and frees the mind from allurements of vice. The lesson that temperance teaches us is that of knowing limits and that of moderation. To the individual the easy lesson that can be taken is that of limiting or moderating our intake of alcohol. But the lesson applies to us in many different areas of our lives, including tempering our passions, our thoughts, and all of our actions. The Lodge, as any organization can also apply the lesson in temperance by operating within it’s own boundaries or by laws, and for us, we could easily apply the lesson to the investigation and initiation of new members.

Prudence according to our Monitor teaches us to regulate our lives and actions agreeably to the dictates of reason. A more conventional definition of prudence is the exercise of sound judgment in all practical matters. This virtue though very simple on the surface, may actually be one of the more difficult to master. It’s easy to say for instance, that prudence dictates that you not put yourself in a situation that could cause harm to yourself, your family, your reputation, or the integrity of any organization to which you may belong. The difficult part about this, is that sometimes, we may not know until it’s too late that we have found, or rather put ourselves in such a situation, thus making it prudent to consider all situations, actions, or words spoken before hand. We’ve all found ourselves at one time or another saying something like, “I wish I hadn’t”, or “hindsight is 20/20”. This realization give us the insight to know for the future what the prudent course of action is. For our Lodges, prudence is of the utmost importance. We must be prudent in our elections, our balloting on new members, our finances, absolutely everything, because if we are not, the results may be not only undesired, but irreversible.

Fortitude is defined as that noble and steadfast purpose of mind whereby we are enabled to undergo any pain, peril, or danger, when prudently deemed expedient. Put more simply, fortitude is courage. Courage to undergo pain, or hardship. However, as it applies to us, it would be more of a moral fortitude, or moral courage. Courage to act rightly in the face of opposition, shame, scandal, or discouragement. This lesson is taught to us in the Masonic Degrees, the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, as well in the degrees of the Eastern Star. What is interesting about fortitude, or courage, is that it doesn’t stand alone. It always stands with the other virtues, and always stands on the side of right. If we have the courage to act rightly, we will always be seen through whatever trial or opposition meets us. Imagine if you will the greatest example of both physical and moral fortitude, the formation of our great nation. Those original patriots, many of which were themselves Freemasons, displayed extraordinary courage to provide us with the freedoms we now enjoy. Throughout our history as a nation, we have been provided many examples of this virtue and it’s one that we should always strive to achieve.

The fourth cardinal virtue is Justice. As defined, it is that standard or boundary of right which enables us to render to every man his just due without distinction. Justice teaches us not to take that which is not rightly ours, or give to those what is rightly theirs. An example of this could be as simple as credit for work or ideas. We all know of a person or event where someone, or some group has taken credit for the accomplishment of others. This is denying justice, and should be our charge to ensure that we all live in such a way that we never allow this to happen, if within our power to prevent.

In examining the four cardinal virtues, we find that they themselves are intertwined with one another. They cross boundaries and support each other. It’s difficult to be prudent, without employing temperance. To ensure that justice is served, it at times requires great fortitude, and it is always prudent to ensure that justice is served.

Another definition of the cardinal virtues are the pivotal virtues. This definition I find to be very direct and to the point. If we look at each decision we make or action we take as a pivot point, then we can see the varied paths that each decision, or deviation from the virtues can take us. Sometimes it may be unclear where each path may lead, and that is when a true examination of the pivot, the hinge, the virtues are needed to help, like a map to guide us to the right path.

At the end of the day, living by the cardinal virtues will bring to each of us honor, and a reputation that is untarnished. Alternatively, failing to heed the teachings of the cardinal virtues can lead to a life of sadness, one where we are left trying to rebuild that which we once had.

For our Lodges, as long as we govern ourselves by using the Cardinal Virtues as a guide, then we will continue to stand the test of time. We will, through our actions ensure that the detractors of freemasonry are overshadowed by the truth of freemasonry.

Thank you for your attention, please enjoy the rest of your afternoon.