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Post by torence on Jan 7, 2011 19:57:40 GMT
Plato stated "Know Thyself," quite the command.
How has the fraternity helped you in this regard and do you agree that "Know thyself" qualifies as the principle Masonic Imperative?
Fraternally, Torence vans Ake Secretary - Auburn Park Lodge No. 789, Crete, Illinois PM - Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 - Lansing, Illinois
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Post by maximus on Jan 7, 2011 21:46:37 GMT
I would say it is an imperative in any initiatic body, and of life in general.
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Post by billmcelligott on Jan 7, 2011 22:57:39 GMT
The most complete description I know of what the 'masonic Imperative' is IF by Rudyard Kipling.
IF you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, ' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch, if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
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Post by maximus on Jan 7, 2011 23:49:19 GMT
Bro. Kipling was a wise man. Almost as wise as Bro. Bill. ;D
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Tamrin
Member
Nosce te ipsum
Posts: 3,586
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Post by Tamrin on Jan 8, 2011 0:39:31 GMT
Plato stated "Know Thyself," quite the command. A fuller version was said to be inscribed above the entrance to the temple at Delphi. "Man, know thyself and thou will know the universe and the Gods" For me, the consequent ("thou will know the universe and the Gods") informs the antecedent ("know thyself"). In other words, knowing one's true nature is to be aware of our unity with all that is. Thus, being mindful of our "mystic tie" is the Masonic imperative. BTW, my self-chosen SRIS Latin motto is Nosce te ipsum = "Know thyself"
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Post by billmcelligott on Jan 8, 2011 4:41:24 GMT
Bro. Kipling was a wise man. Almost as wise as Bro. Bill. ;D Kipling would be flattered. I am sure.
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Post by maximus on Jan 8, 2011 6:13:01 GMT
Bro. Kipling was a wise man. Almost as wise as Bro. Bill. ;D Kipling would be flattered. I am sure. LOL Just funnin' ya' Bro.
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Post by sammy on Jan 10, 2011 2:43:41 GMT
Plato stated "Know Thyself," quite the command. A fuller version was said to be inscribed above the entrance to the temple at Delphi. "Man, know thyself and thou will know the universe and the Gods" For me, the consequent ("thou will know the universe and the Gods") informs the antecedent ("know thyself"). In other words, knowing one's true nature is to be aware of our unity with all that is. Thus, being mindful of our "mystic tie" is the Masonic imperative. BTW, my self-chosen SRIS Latin motto is Nosce te ipsum = "Know thyself" Very well stated.
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