In the Entered Apprentice degree lecture one of the things described are the Four Cardinal Virtues. These virtues not only appear in Masonic Ritual but in philosophies from Aristotle, Plato, and many others. Most world mythologies have some form of these virtues written in them as do most world religions.
So what exactly makes these virtues "Cardinal"? Bernard E. Jones states that “We speak in Freemasonry of Cardinal Virtues, Cardinal Points & Cardinal Winds. Briefly this curious word means ‘Important’ ‘Significant’ and carries with it a mental image of matters of great moment all revolving round a centre-point acting as a hinge, or pivot, (Latin, cardo)" (Qtd. in McEvoy).
Throughout much of ecclesiastical history, the word has been coined as a term to describe the red colour of the robe worn by a Roman Catholic Cardinal, a powerful and significant Priest who was a member of one of the highest offices in the Catholic Church. Through the Entered Apprentice degree, we are taught that the Cardinal, or the most important and significant virtues in Freemasonry are Prudence, Temperance, Fortitude, and Justice.
Let's take a moment and delve into the meanings of each of these important virtues:
Prudence
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Prudence as:
1: the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason
2: sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs
3: skill and good judgment in the use of resources
4: caution or circumspection as to danger or risk
In layman's terms, the ability to lead yourself and the ability to make good decisions. This skill is fundamental to the human existence and especially fundamental to the Brother Mason. Without the ability to govern and discipline ourselves by the use of reason, we cannot expect to have skill and good judgement in the use of our resources. This ties back to the lesson of the 24 inch gauge given just minutes before during the first section of the EA degree. Time management is essential in becoming a better man and a Mason.
Temperance
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Temperance as:
1: moderation in action, thought, or feeling : RESTRAINT
2a: habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions
b: moderation in or abstinence from the use of alcoholic beverages
In reading this definition I believe the application is two-fold. The ability to act with restraint of our thoughts and feelings, being slow to anger, and being able to look at things logically instead of emotionally is a skill many folks nowadays lack. Without the ability to do this, we allow our emotions to overtake us to the point that we cannot impart the lessons of Prudence into our lives. On the other side of that coin, in order to act with moderation in the entirety of our existence, we must understand that all humans have vices.
(Passion for knowledge and understanding as well as the passion to become a better man is what makes Masons become Masons, therefore I believe vices makes more sense here)
Once we are able to subdue our vices, ergo, the things that make us weak, we can then take that to the next level by applying that lesson to the rest of our life.
Fortitude
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Fortitude as:
1: strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage
As we saw with Temperance, Fortitude also relies on the strength of the first two virtues in our lives. Without Prudence, we cannot act with reason and act with discipline. We can't act with discipline in our lives unless we subdue our vices and understand the importance of moderation through Temperance. Without doing those things, we will always have weaknesses that will dull our ability to Fortify. Fortify in the sense of being able to continue to subdue our vices and show restraint and also act with reason. Once we are able to practice Prudence and Temperance, we will be able to then practice Fortitude in protecting the way we live our lives in the face of danger and adversity; and we should do so with courage.
Justice
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Jusitice (At length) as:
1. the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness:to uphold the justice of a cause.
2. rightfulness or lawfulness, as of a claim or title; justness of ground or reason:to complain with justice.
3. the moral principle determining just conduct.
4. conformity to this principle, as manifested in conduct; just conduct, dealing, or treatment.
5. the administering of deserved punishment or reward.
6. the maintenance or administration of what is just by law, as by judicial or other proceedings:a court of justice.
Let's unpack this a little bit, shall we?
Justice, or the act of being just, righteous, equitable, and moral, refers to the ability to determine just conduct and to conform to the principles manifested in conduct. This also means being impartial in the face of justice to determine punishment or reward. While also understanding that being just is a living, breathing thing that can change over time.
*wow*
With what we've gone over so far, it's important to understand that without the decision making skills and logical handling of issues we face in practicing Prudence, and without the subduement of our own vices and the moderation of everything in our lives through Temperance, we cannot fortify ourselves to act with these qualities under scrutiny, danger, and adversity with courage. Finally, if we are unable to act with these qualities, we are unable to truly grasp the scope of conduct, law and order, and Justice being we can't even be just in our own lives. Therefore, why should we ever be responsible for helping others be just?
Conclusion These virtues do not only represent four qualities of a Mason that are needed to succeed, but also represent four building blocks towards enlightenment. Without each virtue, or each building block, the entire temple that is a Mason topples down; however, with the firm practice of each Cardinal Virtue, they will succeed in doing what philosophers have said they do for thousands of years and what Freemasons swear to do for the rest of their Masonic lives, make good men better.
Bro. Matthew R. Ross
Battle Creek Lodge No. 12
Grand Lodge of Michigan, F.&A.M.
References
McEvoy, Norman. "Four Cardinal Virtues." The Educator, 2007, theeducator.ca/four-cardinal-virtues/.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary, www.merriam-webster.com/.