Preface.

...is contained herein: how highly man is to be esteemed,
and how gravely all those will have to answer for themselves who
offend man with striking, murder, deception, etc.
The learned will also see that not everything
is learned at the universities; heaven also
has its pupils and excellent talents original: "Ingenia" among
the unlearned original: "Idioten"; in the 16th century, this referred to "idiotae" or laypeople who lacked a formal university education., of whom there have been many examples original: "Exempel" at all times,
as there are still today. After I
well considered within myself, however, that this magnificent work original: "Opus"
would also have its enemies—though through no fault of its own—
since things have come to such a pass that nothing may
remain uncensored, and those who understand matters the least
judge them the most. Therefore, I wished to dedicate
this philosophy original: "Philosophiam" primarily to Your Princely Grace original abbreviation: "E. E. F. G." standing for "Euer Edel Fürstlich Gnaden," a formal address for a high-ranking noble.,
so that it might remain unrejected by ignorant judges
and find most gracious protection and shelter from Your Princely Grace.
For Your Princely Grace bears a special desire and will for such
high matters. For Your Princely Grace desires, out of high Electoral
understanding, to explore the Light of Nature original: "Liecht der Natur"; a cornerstone of Paracelsian thought, referring to the wisdom found through observation of the natural world. and its secrets
with constant practice and diligent reading, as well as
what the great works original: "Magnalia" of God are in medicine, of
which lesser persons are often ashamed. Therefore,
Your Princely Grace has attained the same fame in Germany
that was held in former times by the great and mighty King Mithridates
and many other high potentates original: "Potentaten",
among whom medicine was held in the highest dignity and esteem.
If this were to happen today among
princes and lords, the secrets
of true medicine would soon come to light,
and so many sick people would not be abandoned.
Since Your Princely Grace has
until now most graciously defended original: "defendiert" Theophrastus Paracelsus. and his
philosophy and medicine original: "Philosophiam vnnd Medicinam", as such