Sunday, September 20, 2009

Cunning and Curious

Cunning. Used by old English writers in the sense of skillful. Thus, in 1 Kings viii. 14, it is said of the architect who was sent by the king of Tyre to assist King Solomon in the construction of his Temple, that he was "cunning to work in all works in brass."

Curious. Latin, curiosus, from cura, care. An archaic expression for careful. Thus in Masonic language, which abounds in archaisms, an evidence, indeed, of its antiquity, Hiram Abiff is described as a "curious and cunning workman," that is to say, "careful and skillful."

Masonic Encyclopedia