Della Porta Magia Naturalis (German 1713)

above [the thing], for which no cause can be given: but he who knows the cause does not hold a matter in such high esteem. Therefore, Aristotle Greek philosopher (384–322 BCE) whose works on logic and science formed the basis of medieval and early modern thought says: That which is considered something strange and unusual is that whose cause is hidden and unknown. Even in the trades and arts, craftsmen make their own tools and hide the fundamental means of those things so that others might wonder at them. There was one man who would extinguish a light and hold it against a wall or a stone and thus light it again; this seemed miraculous to others. But Galen Aelius Galenus (129–c. 216 CE), an influential Roman physician and philosopher says that people ceased to wonder when it was discovered that he had previously smeared those places with sulfur. And the Ephesian Likely referring to the philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus, or perhaps a medical writer like Rufus of Ephesus; the quote emphasizes that understanding removes the "magic" from an event speaks thus: A wonder-work ceases to be a wonder when one finds the reason for which it was held to be a wonder.

10. Likewise, he must also be possessed of good means: for it is difficult to work when one lacks the means. Therefore, one should strive for means so that one can philosophize to philosophize; here meaning to conduct scientific research and experimental inquiry, or practice artistic works—and not practice artistic works merely to obtain means. Consequently, he must spare no expense, but rather allow some excess to be spent on his searching.

11. Indeed, even if he has worked through something with great diligence the first time, he must nonetheless sometimes take up patience and repeat it once more, and let no labor vex him; for the secrets of nature are not opened to the lazy and the unintelligent. Therefore Epicharmus A Greek dramatist and philosopher (c. 524–435 BCE) known for his pithy moral maxims said rightly: God sells everything to men in exchange for labor. Now, if the matter does not proceed as the description states, you may certainly think that you have failed somewhere: for I have written very briefly, not for the inexperienced and beginners, but for artists and understanding minds.

Chapter IV.

Various Opinions of the Ancients regarding the Causes of Miraculous Effects; and First, regarding the Elements.

The ancient philosophers exerted themselves so much in the investigation of the causes of many wonderful natural occurrences that some committed no small errors in the process; therefore, many different opinions arose among them regarding this, which, before we proceed further, will hopefully not be unhelpful to recount.

2. The first held that everything comes from the elements the four classical elements: Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, and that these were the primary causes of all things: just as Hippasus of Metapontum and Heraclides Ponticus Ancient Greek thinkers; Hippasus was a Pythagorean, and Heraclides was a student of Plato; both were associated with early theories of matter and fire identified fire; Diogenes of Apollonia A pre-Socratic philosopher who believed Air was the primary substance of the universe...