Masonry is a search after Light. That search leads us directly back, as you see, to the Kabalah.
Albert PikeWe are all naturally seekers of wonders. We travel far to see the majesty of old ruins, the venerable forms of the hoary mountains, great waterfalls, and galleries of art. And yet the world's wonder is all around us; the wonder of setting suns, and evening stars, of the magic spring-time, the blossoming of the trees, the strange transformations of the moth...
Albert PikePhilosophy is a kind of journey, ever learning yet never arriving at the ideal perfection of truth.
Albert PikePride is not the heritage of man; humility should dwell with frailty, and atone for ignorance, error, and imperfection.
Albert PikeToleration, holding that every other man has the same right to his opinion and faith that we have to ours; and liberality, holding that as no human being can with certainty say, in the clash and conflict of hostile faiths and creeds, what is truth, or that he is surely in possession of it, so everyone should feel that it is quite possible that another equally honest and sincere with himself, and yet holding the contrary opinion, may himself be in possession of the truth.
Albert Pike