Audi Vide Tace

Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR

As the Summer is in acceleration to a close, I have noticed some unnerving things within the real estate profession; and I guess from desperation. Before I get into my explanation I will give some insight into the title. Audi Vide Tace is a Masonic (Freemason) slogan and translates from Latin "To Know, To Dare, To be Silent." Obviously we within the business world should have this tattooed to our foreheads, it is a very basic concept.

We are are taught to know certain things throughout life, we dare to explore them, and at times should know when to keep silent. I have been noticing an alarming trend though. We learn and know about the real estate market, we dare to pursue a career in real estate, and instead of being silent, bashing the competition. I come from the school of thought that the only competition there is is myself. We should recognize each other as professionals with differing views, marketing plans, agencies, and just as a man or woman trying to feed their families.

There is plenty of business for each and every one of us and to find it we must find it within ourselves. Kind of cryptic I know, but one must have the desire of Audi Vide Tace. Instead of bashing others in the profession we should be helping each other to succeed.

This is one last thing I'd like to share. It is the Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial in Gettysburg and makes the point very clear.

The Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial is a monument located in the annex of the Gettysburg National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, it commemorates Confederate Brigadier General Lewis Addison Armistead entrusting Union Captain Henry H. Bingham with his personal effects, most notably a pocket watch, on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg, during Pickett's Charge.

Pickett's Charge was an assault upon the Union Army center on the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg. The charge, the high tide of the Confederate States of America, was repulsed. Confederate general Armistead, under George Pickett's command, personally led his men up the hill to the Union position. Armistead was shot twice. Severely wounded, and fearing that his personal effects would be stolen by Union soldiers, he "gave a Masonic sign asking for assistance". Union Captain Bingham, an aide to Major General Winfield Scott Hancock, a personal friend of Armistead, then came to his aid as he lay wounded: Armistead, Bingham, and Hancock were all Freemasons. After ensuring Armistead that his possessions would be sent to his family, particularly his pocket watch, Bingham took Armistead to a field hospital, where Armistead died two days later on the George Spangler farm.

If fighting for two differing causes, in a battle of life and death, these men are able to set aside differing views, why not us in our profession?