JOHANNES TRITHEMIUS, ABBOT OF SAINT JAMES AT

Würzburg original: "Herbipolis", formerly of Sponheim, to his Henry Cornelius

Agrippa von Nettesheim, health and

love.

Ornamental woodcut initial 'O' depicting a scholar or monk's face within a circular frame, surrounded by leafy scrollwork.

Our most distinguished Agrippa, with what great pleasure we received your work entitled On the More Occult Philosophy, which you offered for our examination via the bearer of these presents, no mortal tongue can ever express, nor the pen of a writer reveal. We are moved by the greatest admiration for your uncommon learning; though a young man, you have been able to penetrate such secrets and mysteries—hidden even from many most learned men—and bring them forth into the light not only beautifully and truly, but also correctly and elegantly. For this, we first give thanks for your benevolence toward us, and if we are ever able, we shall undoubtedly return the favor according to our strength. We approve your work, which no man, even among the most learned, could sufficiently praise.

Next, we warn, petition, and request you with what urgency we can, that you proceed with study into higher things as you have begun, and that you do not allow such excellent powers of your genius In this context, "genius" refers to both innate talent and a divine guiding spirit. to grow lukewarm through idleness. Always exercise yourself through your labor toward better things, and demonstrate the light of true wisdom, with which you are so greatly and divinely illuminated, even to the ignorant. Do not let the consideration of any scoundrels original: "nebulonum," literally "men of mist" or worthless people. draw you back from your purpose, of whom it is truly said: The tired ox plants its foot firmly original: "Bos lassus fortiter figit pedem." A Latin proverb meaning that those who are dull or set in their ways are often the most stubborn in resisting new ideas.. Since, in the judgment of the wise, no one can be truly learned who has sworn loyalty only to the basics of a single faculty.

Divinity has gifted you with a broad and sublime genius: therefore, do not imitate the oxen, but the birds. Do not think you must linger around particular details, but confidently turn your mind toward universal things; for a man is considered more learned the fewer things he is ignorant of. Indeed, your intellect, which is fully suited for all things, ought to be rationally occupied not with a few lowly matters, but with many and more sublime ones.

However, we warn you to keep this one precept: communicate common things to common people, but higher and secret things only to higher and secret friends. Give hay to the ox, sugar only to the parrot A metaphor for intellectual discernment: provide basic sustenance to the unrefined, but reserve the "sweets" of higher knowledge for those with the capacity to understand them.; understand my meaning, lest you be subjected to the heels of the oxen, as has happened to many.

Farewell, happy friend; and if there is anything in our power that can be of use to you, command it and you shall see it done without delay. So that our friendship may gain strength daily, write to us often, and we urgently pray that you send some of your late-night studies original: "lucubrationum," referring to scholarly work produced by lamplight.. Farewell again. From our monastery at Würzburg. The 8th day of April, in the year