Course on the Book of Thoth

as learned as Tri-Mercury-Athothis original: "Tri-Mercure-Athotis." This name conflates Hermes Trismegistus (the "Thrice-Greatest" Mercury) with Athothis, a legendary Egyptian king credited with writing books on anatomy., and then he could, like the good and virtuous Morienus original: "Morien." Morienus was a legendary 7th-century hermit and alchemist said to have been the teacher of the prince Khalid ibn Yazid., say to King Khalid original: "Calid."; HE WHO HAS EVERYTHING NEEDS NOTHING.

O! you, true lovers of Natural Philosophy Natural Philosophy In the 18th century, "Natural Philosophy" referred to the study of the physical world and its laws, a field that encompassed both early modern science and esoteric traditions like alchemy., who, with good reason, do not admit that God lets himself be moved by faith without works—that is to say, by prayer without labor A reference to the alchemical and monastic maxim Ora et Labora (Pray and Work), suggesting that spiritual insight requires practical effort.—and who do not believe either that conjurations, as foolish as they are contrary to divine and human wisdom, can engage or force demons to reveal the secrets of nature to us: open the Book of Thoth; it will support you in your conviction.

There you will read what the fanatic, the so-called illuminatus original: "illuminé." Etteilla uses this term dismissively to refer to mystical "visionaries" whom he considers unscientific or superstitious, likely targeting contemporary rival occult movements., expects in vain from the mouth of God himself: the science that the creator has spread throughout our Universe.

It is therefore in every part of this Universe that one must search, and not, as these idle people claim, hope that God, by a special miracle in favor of their laziness, will give them the keys to the science of nature; lucky are they if they do not go so far as to desire Divine Science!

You will learn at the same time, in this sublime Book, how far the human spirit