authenticity Archieven - De Vrijmetselaar

Rough ashlar stone symbolizing self-knowledge and growth in Freemasonry

Autism and Self-Knowledge: Ethical Lessons from Freemasonry

When someone discovers later in life that they are fundamentally different from what the world expected, a remarkable moment of self-knowledge emerges. The recent openness of a well-known public figure about receiving an autism diagnosis offers a surprising mirror for a theme that sits at the very heart of Freemasonry: knowing yourself as the foundation for ethical action. Two worlds, two perspectives on the same question — how does honesty about who you are lead to better conduct? The Outsider’s Perspective: Vulnerability as Weakness Modern society holds a curious paradox when it comes to openness. On one hand, authenticity is celebrated as the highest virtue. On the other, vulnerability is often seen as a liability — an Achilles’ heel best kept hidden. When someone publicly declares they are glad about a diagnosis that many perceive as a limitation, it collides with widespread incomprehension. The outsider thinks in terms of normal and deviant, strong and weak, successful despite or because of. This perspective has deep historical roots. As far back as Aristotle, we find the idea that virtue manifests in the middle ground — in moderation and self-control. Any deviation from the norm, in whatever form, was considered a disruption of […]

Open book of Montaigne's essays beside Masonic square and compasses symbolizing reflection

Montaigne and Connection: Steadfastness as a Bridge to Others

Picture yourself standing in a room full of strangers. Everyone is wearing a mask — not a literal one, but the invisible masks of social expectation. How often do you find yourself trying to impress rather than genuinely connect? In the sixteenth century, Michel de Montaigne wrote a penetrating essay on constancy that cuts straight to the heart of this question. His insights remain strikingly relevant for anyone reflecting on authentic human connection, and they resonate deeply with what Freemasons have pursued within their brotherhood for centuries. The Paradox of Unyielding Resolve In the twelfth essay of his first book, Montaigne examines what it truly means to be steadfast. He reveals how easily we confuse genuine inner stability with the outward appearance of immovability. That exterior can be deeply deceptive. Montaigne describes how people sometimes seem resolute out of pride or fear, while internally they are crumbling. True constancy, he argues, springs from self-knowledge and the acceptance of our human limitations. This distinction matters enormously for anyone thinking about connection with others. When you know and accept your own weaknesses, there is no need to perform. You can allow yourself to be vulnerable without losing your foundation. Montaigne saw this […]