What are the parallels between Marcus Aurelius' Meditations and Freemasonry?
Marcus Aurelius' Meditations offers profound parallels with Freemasonry's core tenets. Both emphasize the importance of virtue, self-discipline, and moral rectitude. Aurelius' Stoic philosophy encourages individuals to live in accordance with nature and reason, to cultivate inner strength, and to act justly towards others. This resonates deeply with Freemasonry's teachings on brotherly love, relief, and truth, and its emphasis on personal growth and ethical conduct.
The Masonic pursuit of "making good men better" mirrors Aurelius' constant introspection and his commitment to self-improvement. Both systems advocate for the development of character, the pursuit of wisdom, and the understanding of one's duty to oneself and to humanity. As Albert Pike noted in Morals and Dogma, Freemasonry aims to "make men better" by cultivating their moral and intellectual faculties, a goal clearly shared with the philosophical reflections found in Meditations.