Less glory is more liberty. When the drum is silent, reason sometimes speaks.
Masonry is identical with the Ancient Mysteries
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that masonry holds deep, ancient wisdom akin to mysterious spiritual traditions.
Albert Pike's statement implies that the practices and teachings of masonry share a profound connection with the Ancient Mysteries, which are esoteric traditions aiming to reveal deeper truths about existence, spirituality, and the universe. It highlights the idea that craftsmanship and moral teachings in masonry go beyond mere construction, touching on spiritual enlightenment and the pursuit of knowledge, similar to the hidden teachings of ancient civilizations.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on the history of spirituality, one might say this quote to illustrate the connections between various belief systems.
More from Albert Pike
All quotes βHe who endeavors to serve, to benefit, and improve the world, is like a swimmer, who struggles against a rapid current, in a river lashed into angry waves by the winds. Often they roar over his head, often they beat him back and baffle him. Most men yield to the stress of the current... Only here and there the stout, strong heart and vigorous arms struggle on toward ultimate success.
Let us drink together, fellows, as we did in days of yore. And still enjoy the golden hours that Fortune has in store; The absent friends remembered be, in all thatβs sung or said, And Love immortal consecrate the memory of the dead.
War is a series of catastrophes which result in victory.
Two forms of government are favorable to the prevalence of falsehood and deceit. Under a Despotism, men are false, treacherous, and deceitful through fear, like slaves dreading the lash. Under a Democracy they are so as a means of attaining popularity and office, and because of the greed for wealth.
What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.
Similar quotes
One trait in the philosopher's character we can assume is his love of the knowledge that reveals eternal reality, the realm unaffected by change and decay.
Do you not see with your own eyes the chrysalis fact assume by degrees the wings of fiction?
If you start trying to figure out yourself from the image everyone has of you, you run into a dead end.
And who are you, the proud Lord said that I must bow so low? Only a cat of a different coat, that's all the truth I know. In a coat of gold or a coat of red, a lion still has claws. And, mine are as long and sharp, my Lord as long and sharp as yours. And so he spoke, and so he spoke, that Lord of Castamere, but now the rains weep o'er his hall, with no one there to hear. Yes, now the rains weep o'er his hall, and not a soul to hear.
Fear seems to have many causes. Fear of loss, fear of failure, fear of being hurt, and so on, but ultimately all fear is the ego's fear of death, of annihilation. To the ego, death is always just around the corner. In this mind-identified state, fear of death affects every aspect of your life.
Death be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so. For, those, whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow. Die not, poor death, nor yet canst thou kill me.