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Brete Murphy
About
Home
Blog
Topics
Publications
Support
Contact
Brete Murphy
About
Home
Blog
Topics
Publications
Support
Contact
The Craftsman’s Responsibility
Philosophy & Freemasonry Brete Murphy 9/24/26 Philosophy & Freemasonry Brete Murphy 9/24/26

The Craftsman’s Responsibility

The real question is not whether we can build. It is whether we are willing to answer for what our building does.


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Why the Middle Way Is Not Mediocrity
Philosophy & Freemasonry Brete Murphy 9/24/26 Philosophy & Freemasonry Brete Murphy 9/24/26

Why the Middle Way Is Not Mediocrity

The middle way is not the average of two mistakes. It is the difficult point at which strength becomes courage, desire becomes love, and ambition becomes service.

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Icarus and the Failure of Measure
Philosophy & Freemasonry Brete Murphy 9/24/26 Philosophy & Freemasonry Brete Murphy 9/24/26

Icarus and the Failure of Measure

Icarus does not fall because he seeks height. He falls because power arrives before judgment has learned how to guide it.


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Skill Is Not Wisdom
Philosophy & Freemasonry Brete Murphy 9/24/26 Philosophy & Freemasonry Brete Murphy 9/24/26

Skill Is Not Wisdom

Skill answers the question, “How can this be done?” Wisdom asks the harder question, “What should be done, and what will it cost?”


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The Builder of the Labyrinth
Philosophy & Freemasonry Brete Murphy 9/24/26 Philosophy & Freemasonry Brete Murphy 9/24/26

The Builder of the Labyrinth

The Labyrinth is a masterpiece of design. It is also a reminder that a structure can be perfectly built and morally wrong.


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The Labyrinth and the Wings
Philosophy & Freemasonry Brete Murphy 9/24/26 Philosophy & Freemasonry Brete Murphy 9/24/26

The Labyrinth and the Wings

A six-part series on Daedalus and Icarus: craft, geometry, ambition, proportion, architecture, responsibility, and the moral limits of human ingenuity.

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Queens and New York City History

Articles on neighborhoods, landmarks, institutions, local figures, and overlooked stories from Queens and the wider city.

Freemasonry in Queens

Research and writing on lodges, notable members, Masonic buildings, and the role of Freemasonry in local civic life.

Masonic Symbols and Education

Essays on symbolism, ritual meaning, historical context, and educational subjects within Freemasonry.

Fraternal Traditions

Separate writing on related orders, traditions, and practices approached through historical and educational interpretation.

Future Projects

Books, booklets, historical tour guides, image collections, and an interactive map of Queens are planned as this site continues to grow.

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  • Queens History
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Recent Writing

The blog is the center of this site — an ongoing space for original articles, research notes, historical essays, and commentary.

Topics include Queens history, New York City history, Masonic lodge history, symbolism, notable members, architecture, and fraternal traditions.

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About Brete Murphy

I am a writer and researcher focused on Queens history, New York City history, Freemasonry, symbolism, architecture, and fraternal traditions. This site brings together my writing, research, and long-term publishing projects in one place.

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A Growing Historical Resource

BreteMurphy.com is intended to grow into more than a blog. Over time, the site will include books, short publications, historical tour guides, curated image collections, and interactive tools that make history more accessible and engaging.

This is a long-term project, built one article, one place, and one story at a time.

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