Righteousness is an ideal closely related to religious belief. Usually expressed in modern vocabulary as "the right thing," the meaning stays the same from the root word "right thus" or "right way." In our Freemasonic lesson the synonym would be Justice—"that standard or boundary of right which enables us to render every man his just due, without distinction" and so on and so forth. It is a virtue that can be learned, practiced or ignored. A person can be peaceful but not peace. Peace is a state or condition which is a result of a choice of acceptance or rejection. One can be righteous and be at peace with himself.
Having the disadvantage of not knowing the full text of the quotes, assuming the other word is "being peaceful," and relating the subject to the context of solving Lodge problem, my impression is that we are talking apples and oranges. While both already made their choices, one was not concerned of the effect of the selection while the other does. This is the classic case of knowing where each member and by large the moral of the local or national organization can be ascertained. What is important justice/righteousness or not upturning the apple cart? We have seen this scenario before while everybody is singing kumbaya for a want of peace and/or harmony within the Lodge, no one wanted to pay attention to some voice yelling that the boat is heading toward the water falls. Those who stood up and sided to "that standard or boundary of right…" were branded as not "team players" or more recently "clandestine" as if being "regular" member before upturning the cart made them practiced the "clandestine form" of Freemasonry.
Should one give up "principle" in exchange for "peace and harmony?" This is rhetorical question only individual Mason can answer. An inquiry that could start with digging deeper into our consciousness to discern what Freemasonry teaches us about morals, of mysteries of that which was lost, and of what Temple we are trying to build? Of what we are in search of? My Brother, define your "principle."
F/
RmOlano
York Rite of CA
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