Natural Magic (Magia Naturalis)

...whatever was to be sought, whether in books or in the most excellent objects, I have searched for most abundantly, so that this storehouse of Nature’s supplies might be more complete and expanded. And so, with the most intense study and persistent experimentation, day and night I tested what I had read or heard to see if it were true or false, so that nothing would remain untried. I often recalled the opinion of Cicero, who said:

It is only right that those who desire to hand down to memory the most useful things for the human race—things carefully weighed and explored—should try everything. original: "Par est eos, qui generi humano res vtilissimas & perpensas, exploratasque memoriæ tradere concupierint, cuncta tentare." From Cicero's De Divinatione.

In testing these things, I spared no labor and no expense; I spent my limited means with a majestic magnificence. Nor was there any lack of labor, diligence, and resources provided by the most famous "Heroes" Porta uses "Heroes" in the classical sense to mean great men of outstanding achievement., magnates, nobles, and the most learned men—especially (whom I mention for the sake of honor) the Most Illustrious and Reverend Cardinal of Este Cardinal Luigi d'Este (1538–1586), a powerful prelate and patron of the arts and sciences, to whom Porta was deeply indebted.. All of these people provided their free and kind assistance to this work of ours.

Nor was there ever a lack at my home of an Academy This refers to the Accademia dei Segreti (Academy of Secrets), a society founded by Porta in Naples. To join, a member had to prove they had discovered a new secret of nature. of curious men who, by pooling their money, devoted vigorous and eager effort to investigating and testing these things; they were of the greatest help to me in organizing and expanding this work.

Therefore, having prepared these things with such great expense, labor, and study, I hesitated with an anxious mind whether I should allow them to come to light, as I was already "packing my bags" original: "sarcinulas colligens," a Latin idiom meaning preparing for the end of one's life or moving on to the next stage.. For there are many excellent things here, worthy of the greatest men, which, if ignorant people not yet initiated into the sacred rites of Philosophy were to obtain them, would surely become cheapened and scorned. As Plato says to Dionysius:

They seem to make Philosophy look ridiculous who try to hand these things over to rustic and profane men. original: "Philosophiam videntur ridiculam facere, qui agrestibus & prophanis viris hæc tradere conantur." This reflects the "Hermetic" tradition that deep scientific or "magical" truths should be kept from the uneducated masses.

Furthermore, many things are harmful and malicious, which [if they fell] into the hands of wicked and dishonest men...