The Sum of Perfection

...[attained] of this most occult art, he nevertheless has an easier access to the principles of the art, even if ignorance weighs upon his intention regarding the method of this our work; and such a man is but a little removed from the entrance of the art.

But he who shall have known the principles of nature, the causes of minerals, and the manner of generation In alchemical philosophy, "generation" refers to the natural process by which metals grow and mature within the earth. which consists in the intention of nature: truly, little is withheld from him regarding the completion of the work, without which our science cannot be perfected: since art cannot imitate the nature of the work in all things, but imitates it as best it can.

Therefore, most dear son, we reveal a secret to you: because in this, craftsmen err, for they desire to imitate nature in every single difference of its properties of action. Labor, therefore, to study in our volumes: and revolve them very often in your mind so that you may acquire a true understanding from our manner of speech. In these books you will find that upon which you ought to found your mind, and you will learn how to repel those errors from yourself in which you might [mistakenly] try to imitate nature in the artifice Here, "artifice" refers to the human skill and technical craft required to complete the alchemical process. of your work.

Let us therefore first briefly set down all the impediments by which the craftsman is hindered in the work, lest he should fail to reach the true end. We shall speak of those qualities which the craftsman of this art ought to possess within himself: and first we shall argue against the ignorant and the Sophists In alchemy, "Sophists" were practitioners who used deceptive language or false logic to hide their lack of genuine results or to dismiss the art entirely because of their own failures., who, because of their ignorance and inability to find profit in the magistery The "magistery" is the masterful process of transformation that results in the alchemical goal, such as the creation of the Elixir. of this art, destroy the art and claim it does not exist. We shall therefore set down all their arguments, and afterwards we shall most clearly demolish them: so that it may be made plain enough to the wise that none of their clever arguments contain the truth. Secondly, we shall dispute...