Secretive or selective? The terms 'secretive' and 'selective' can be understood in the context of Freemasonry as they relate to the nature of its practices and membership. Freemasonry is often described as a 'modest' society rather than a secret society, emphasizing that true Freemasons do not boast about their knowledge and good deeds. This aligns with the idea that Masonic secrecy can be viewed as 'an extreme form of privacy' as noted by Margaret Jacob. Furthermore, while Freemasonry does maintain certain secrets, it also operates on the principle of selectivity regarding who is initiated into its ranks. This selectivity is often justified by the belief that moral and charitable actions are more valuable when performed without expectation of recognition or reward. Thus, while Freemasonry may be secretive in some aspects, it is also selective in its membership and the dissemination of its teachings.