I have read a lot of lofty language by well–meaning Internet writers attempting to describe what makes a Mason. While no–one owns this definition, many have thoughts on it. Yet the rhetoric I’ve read is often far too general. Where are the specifics?

I’m not going to write about soaring eagles, laughing grandchildren, or Old Glory waving over a corn field. We all love apple pie. But associating it with Freemasonry doesn’t delineate us from the profane, and it smacks of American exclusivity.

In humility, I submit for your consideration some concrete examples of how a Mason should act.

Recognize your fellow Mason as your brother. Ponder what that really means. But go one step further: treat every man as your brother. And every woman as your sister. Respect all. When you cross paths with strangers, do not regard them with suspicion, fear, or judgment.Assume instead that they are worthy of respect, consideration, and tolerance.

When you judge someone’s words or actions, consider the intent more prominently than the effect. People are easier to forgive when it is clear that they meant no harm.

Always use your turn signal, even changing lanes or in a parking lot. Don’t drive aggressively. Yield to everyone who has the right–of–way. If you are unsure who has the right–of–way, yield. Put a Masonic emblem on your rear bumper. You’ll be amazed by how accountable it holds you for your actions behind the wheel.

Show no preference of friendliness toward one person over another. Be as likely to greet a local celebrity or a pretty lady as a trash collector.

When you are overcharged, raise the issue—politely. Similarly, when you are undercharged, go back and pay what you owe. The ethics are the same either way. For goods and services, you must pay the agreed upon price. No more, no less.

Consider yourself a success not when you are established in society or have obtained wealth, but when you are a good man accomplishing good deeds.

Smile at people.

Fix the sink before your wife asks. Then bring her flowers for no reason at all. Be more industrious than people expect of you. Never give anyone reason to consider you lazy.

Volunteer at your house of worship. At least a couple of hours. They could use the help.

Take up no more than one seat in a crowded, public waiting area. A typical man sets his bag in the empty seat next to him, ready to move it when someone asks to sit there. Set your bag under your seat. Take up only the room you need. No more. Don’t make people have to ask you to free up a seat. If you’re an able–bodied man, be the first to arise when someone who needs a seat is looking for one. Again, don’t wait to be asked.

Donate to charity. Anonymously. In cash. Remove praise and the tax deduction incentive as motivations. Do it because it’s the right thing to do. We live in a wealthy society by any measure. If more people gave—even a small percentage—then there would be plenty to go around. Do not fail to give generously.

Remove your hat when you go indoors or when you are introduced to someone. Yes, this includes your baseball cap.

In business, marital discussions, legal activity, and other such negotiations, don’t seek maximum benefit for yourself. Instead, seek justice—which may call upon you to relinquish something you desire. Openly let others know that justice is what you seek. Such a premise, if responded in kind, generally results in more equitable solutions.

Pick up your neighbor’s newspaper off the sidewalk and toss it onto his porch to save him a few steps. Never mention to him that you do it.

When you sense that someone is following you as you enter a building or a room, open the door and let them pass first, even if it is several people. Greet them as they pass.

Once a month or so, send a "thanks for all you do" card or e–mail to someone.

Do not let self gain be your primary motivation to act or not act. I sometimes find myself wasting resources if I can tell myself that I'm not paying for it. I am now fighting to train myself that the reason I turn off the light is not just to save money (although that’s a nice benefit), but because leaving the light on is wasteful, and therefore inherently wrong.

Befriend someone at least 20 years different from you in age. Befriend someone with a drastically different political and religious perspective. Learn from them. People like to talk about their areas of passion. Glean their philosophies, not their knowledge of cars. Learn to tolerate—nay, celebrate their differences. And remain friends.

Pick up trash on the street as you walk by. If there’s no trash can nearby, carry the trash with you, even in your car, until you find one. Why look the other way from an injustice when you have the power to rectify it?

Most religions teach us to do good deeds, that we may be rewarded. But I say do good deeds because it is inherently holy to do them. Give with no thought of receiving. Seek no reward for benevolent actions! Be selfless in your gifts to the world—as selfless as you are able.

Many of these suggestions come down to this: Every time you are placed in a situation in which you must make a decision, consider first what is the right thing to do. Only secondarily should you consider what is profitable, expedient, face–saving, or expected of you.

If you adopt this consideration as a matter of course, you may be surprised to learn that very soon, considering what is right will become what is expected of you by other people. You might become the office ethicist, a moral authority of sorts in your home, or a person whose perspective is revered among your friends. If you are asked why you made a choice, don’t hesitate to reply, Because it was the right thing to do. Surround yourself with people who understand this statement, not with those who look at you with puzzlement and try to equate right with easy.

Keep pushing yourself forward morally. If you look in the mirror this evening and honestly believe that you see a good man, then you are probably right. But don’t accept that as victory. Take the next step! Become a great man. Focus not on being better than others, but on being better to others. Remember always that you are an ambassador of Freemasonry to all those around you.

Now, having read all of these thoughts, picture this: An entire Lodge of Masons who follow such a philosophy. Better, a whole Grand Lodge that adopts it. Continually pushing themselves to improve. Noted by the local papers as a group of men dedicated to noble deeds—selfless deeds. Or better still, Freemasons the world over who aren’t simply nice guys, quietly attending Lodge and sending a check to charity now and then, but who collectively stand out as an example to the world of what men are capable of being.

This is what we can be.

Robert M. Wolfarth a native Texan, now calls Salt Lake City home. After six years working in defense and foreign policy for the US Congress in Washington, Robert moved into the medical device industry, where he is a director of regulatory affairs and quality assurance. Robert is fascinated with systems of ethics as influenced by different societies and religions, and is a writer by passion. He is a 32° Scottish Rite Mason, a Knight Templar, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. Robert is active in his community, the United Methodist Church, and Wasatch Lodge #1, serving there as Tyler and editor of The Trestleboard.