PREFACE.

And with certain coverings of riddles, parables, and linguistic inventions, they have deliberately spread the deepest darkness while passing down marvelous things to be learned by posterity; they promise mountains of gold An ancient Roman idiom, "aureos montes polliceri," meaning to make extravagant or impossible promises.. For who can tell if they truly knew such things, or if they were writing something entirely different from what they believed? Thus, those minds which are most noble and eager for knowledge are held back for the longest time. Eventually, realizing the ignorance of these authors, and despairing of ever reaching their goals, they understand that they have "wasted their effort and their oil" original: "operam, & oleum contriuisse"; a Latin proverb for wasting time and resources on a fruitless task, referring to the oil in a student's lamp.. Driven by this desperation, they are consumed by a late and bitter regret. Others, becoming wise through the peril of those who went before, learn to hate these studies before they even get to know them. Many also, while they tell of wonders, do not bring forth even one word from which any light might occur, or from which the ingenious might investigate; but just as they have (I believe) received it from others, so they presented it—cautious lest they betray their own ignorance by a single uncovered word.

If you thought I would follow such a path, I surely could have filled many volumes, and their number would increase without end. Far be it from me; instead, I have given you what I have gathered from our natural sciences, however small they may be—not only as useful results but as a means original: "ansam," literally a "handle" or opportunity. for conceiving and accomplishing even greater things. For the number of uncomprehended things is infinite; it stretches out immensely and is greater than can be considered by everyone.

—Having cast aside all ambition and ambiguity, and without any pretense or deception, I am revealing those things that have long remained silent, whether due to the envy of the one who knew them or the ignorance of the one trying to learn. I have torn away the veil that covered them, so that what has until now lay hidden in the womb of wondrous nature and the secret cabinets original: "promptuariis," storage places or repositories. of the most renowned men may come to light. I will show how each thing may be explored. Here you will hear no boasting and no convoluted wordplay. I have not relied on the authority of others, nor did it seem honorable to me to "err with the best" A reference to the Latin sentiment "errare cum Platone," suggesting it is better to be wrong with a great thinker than right with a commoner; the author rejects this elitism in favor of truth. by following famous guides. Instead, I have spoken as simply and clearly as possible. I have named simple things without the circumlocutions and complex distinctions that usually pour out so much darkness.

Let everyone read these words, though I know well that I will not escape slander but will instead offend the ears of the more learned. For as Plato said to Dionysius: “They seem to make philosophy look ridiculous who attempt to pass these things on to the unrefined and the common people.” Referencing Plato's Second Letter, which warns against the vulgarization of deep philosophical truths. But let such ambition be rejected and this envy be driven out; these are not the marks of noble minds. Let the desire to help future generations prevail, for I know these things will be of use to them and will bring no small fruit to their studies. Cicero, following Plato, tells us that we are not born for ourselves alone; our country, our parents, and our friends all claim a part of our origin. I do not deny, however, that I have kept some things silent, Motiaderas This is likely a cryptic anagram, common in the works of Michael Sendivogius. transposed others, and hidden them within twists of phrasing. Yet, I have not done so in such a way that a clever person would be unable to uncover them.