Harmony or Consensus of the Chemical Philosophers

...many and infinite labors, I might be able to arrive safely, quickly, and pleasantly at the desired port of true knowledge Scientia original: "scientiae." In this period, "science" referred to any systematic body of knowledge, specifically the "art" of alchemy or natural philosophy..

It was certainly not my intention to publish this Harmony Harmonia original: "Harmoniam." The author views his work as a musical reconciliation of discordant and conflicting texts into a single, "harmonious" system.—which I had adapted and arranged for myself alone and for my own Muses The "Muses" here refers to his private intellectual life and scholarly inspiration.—to the general public. However, the frequent encouragements—or should I say the anxious demands—of my friends overcame me and extorted it from me, even against my will. To fail them as they urged me on seemed dishonorable, and to refuse their requests seemed undutiful.

While I was still hesitating and caught in two minds, I was driven forward by compassion for those who, not knowing how to handle these studies nor having learned to investigate the genuine meaning of the Philosophers Philosophorum original: "Philosophorum." In alchemical literature, this term refers specifically to the ancient and medieval masters of the "Hermetic" art. in a proper and methodical way, are driven around by various errors. At last, in the rough paths of ignorance, just as if...

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