The Pimander of Hermes Trismegistus

mind is never poured into the soul, unless the soul—just like the moon toward the sun—is turned entirely toward the mind of God. The soul does not turn toward the mind unless it too has become "mind" Mens In this Neoplatonic context, Mens (Mind or Intellect) refers to the highest part of the soul that is capable of direct communion with God, as opposed to the lower functions of reason or sensation.. Indeed, it does not become mind until it has stripped away the deceptions of the senses and the mists of the imagination.

For this reason, Mercury The Roman name for Hermes Trismegistus, the legendary author of these texts. has just now cast off the darkness of the senses and imagination; he recalls himself to the entrance of the mind. Soon, Pimander—that is, the divine mind—flows into him. From there, he contemplates the order of all things: both those existing within God and those flowing out from God. Finally, he explains to other men those things which were revealed by the divine power. This, then, is the title of the book, its purpose, and its arrangement.

And you, fortunate Cosimo Cosimo de' Medici (1389–1464), the ruler of Florence and Ficino’s patron, who commissioned this translation., may you read with joy; and live long, so that our fatherland The city-state of Florence. may also live long.