They refer only to the pain any honest man should feel at the thought of violating his word. Freemasonry teaches individual improvement through study . Freemasonry encourages study, including literature by the great writers of ancient times. Freemasonry does not sanction the views of these authors but offers them for each individual's reflection and evaluation. Freemasonry teaches in steps.
Masons learn through a series of lessons.
This no more hides the nature of Freemasonry from novice members than does having a student understand fractions before calculus. Masonry is practiced worldwide. There are approximately 2.5 million Masons in the United States and nearly 6 million throughout the world. Freemasonry has not single spokesman. No Masonic body nor author, however respected, can usurp the authority of a Grand Lodge.