The German Tradition of Self-Cultivation

"Since the aim of our lodge is happiness through love, and the degree of happiness in true love is always exactly proportionate to the degree of moral perfection in the lovers, it follows that moral cultivation is what every associate most ardently seeks. The associates have abolished amongst themselves all barriers of merely conventional propriety. They enjoy every pleasure which is not purchased through the loss of higher pleasures." (Humboldt levele Henriette Herzhez, idézi Bruford, 5)