ATDDTA (8) To know, to dare, to will, to keep silent (222:24-5)

[Keith]

The further condition----'To know, to dare, to will, to keep  
silent' (222:24-5)

     Although the individual human monad, with spiritual self- 
consciousness and self-knowledge, may arrive at that state of  
perfection in the slow course of its evolution, extending perhaps  
over millions of years, nevertheless there is no necessity to wait  
until nature may, perhaps slowly and unaided, accomplish her object,  
but she may be assisted by the individual will and effort of those  
who know how to proceed.

The method by which this may be accomplished was outlined in the  
famous Rosicrucian maxim: To know, to will, to dare and to keep silent.

To know is the first step, and this knowledge includes an  
understanding of the laws governing the visible and invisible  
universe, and involves the study of the complete constitution of  
nature and of man. Knowledge brings power, and power -- if it is to  
be of any practical value -- must be applied. The application of  
knowledge requires a conscious and deliberate use of will, which, to  
be efficacious, must always work in perfect harmony with the  
Universal Will. The great Will of Nature works for the good of all,  
and the individual who would blend his own will with the Universal  
Will must dare to practice good alone. But power, once it has been  
acquired, may be used for either good or evil purposes. Therefore the  
Rosicrucians taught that power should be given only to those who have  
been sufficiently tested to prove that it would not be misapplied.  
Their fourth requirement, therefore, was to remain silent about their  
own powers and knowledge with those with whom it was not expedient to  
speak.

Every candidate admitted into the Fraternity of the Rosy Cross  
accepted these four Rules as his standard of life, and immediately  
entered into a period of probationary discipline. He was told that if  
he fulfilled the required conditions he would find all necessary  
information in the "Book of Initiation." He was also promised that,  
when he was ready, he would find a "guide" who would instruct him in  
the higher degrees of Occultism.

http://www.wisdomworld.org/setting/rosicrucians.html