The Hieroglyphic Monad (1564 Antwerp)

TO MAXIMILIAN.

AMONG MYRIADS OF THOSE PRACTICING PHILOSOPHY: BUT FROM THE HUNDRED MILLION SOULS OF THE COMMON LOT OF MEN, WE OUGHT TO EXPECT THIS SINGLE, MOST BLESSED OFFSPRING. We shall affix a HIEROGLYPHIC In this context, "hieroglyphic" refers to a symbolic or sacred emblem used to hide deeper truths from the uninitiated. symbol of this RARITY thus demonstrated, to the (so-called) Pythagorean letter. The Greek letter Y (Upsilon). Pythagoras used it as a symbol of the "crossroads of life," where the single stem of childhood splits into two paths: the difficult path of virtue and the easy path of vice. Where, to your Excellency looking more attentively, greater mysteries will appear to offer themselves for consideration, described in this manner from our COSMOPOLITICAL Theories. Cosmopolitical Theories original: Cosmopoliticis Theorijs; likely referring to the author's universal system of understanding the world and its governance.

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1,000,000

1,000,000,000.

original: Adephagus; a term for one consumed by base physical appetites. original: Σοφός/Sophos original: Φιλόσοφος/Philosophos original: OPTIO; the point of the crossroads.

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In which degree of that threefold (Philosophical) rarity now explained, (most Merciful KING*) I would indeed wish this to be, and to be judged as, my Gift: Even to you yourself, who excel in the knowledge of the greatest Arts and the most secret things, and—*