War and Peace Volume 2 Book 6 Chapter 7

In which Pierre Bezúkhov, deeply involved with the Petersburg Freemasons, reflects on the varied sincerity and ambition that mark the members of his society, and grows increasingly restless with their hollow observances. Returning from abroad with renewed zeal, he delivers a stirring address envisioning a secretive and virtuous order guiding humanity’s progress, only to meet with resistance and division among his brethren.