Albert Pike

If the effort also is predestined, it is not the less our effort, made of our free will.

The unknown is an ocean, of which conscience is the compass. Thought, meditation, prayer, are the great mysterious pointings of the needle.

Though Masonry neither usurps the place of, nor apes religion, prayer is an essential part of our ceremonies.

Less glory is more liberty. When the drum is silent, reason sometimes speaks.

The two great motors are Truth and Love.

To attack the citadels built up on all sides against the human race by superstitions, despotisms, and prejudices, the Force must have a brain and a law. Then its deeds of daring produce permanent results, and there is real progress.

Force, unregulated or ill-regulated, is not only wasted in the void, like that of gunpowder burned in the open air, and steam unconfined by science; but, striking in the dark, and its blows meeting only the air, they recoil, and bruise …