The King Showing Himself to All the World

...[many] kinds of ways may be found in the philosophical books, yet you should nonetheless know that there is no more than one single true way. Pursue this one rationally, and do not rely on the mere letter The "mere letter" refers to a literal reading of the text, which alchemists believed was a trap for the uninitiated; the "spirit" or true meaning was hidden beneath the words. [of the text], but consider beforehand whether it accords with Nature; look to the harmony original: Concordanz; the points where different alchemical authors agree despite using different metaphors. of the authors original Latin: Autorum, and weigh carefully where they have written obscurely, for in this all their mystery lies hidden. Everything else is merely a diversion to lead the unworthy astray. Pray and read diligently, and practice with your hands original German: mit der Faust; literally "with the fist." This emphasizes that alchemy is not just a mental exercise but requires physical work in the laboratory., and so your labor original Latin: Labor shall be blessed.

The writings of all true philosophers original Latin: Philosophorum are in agreement, however different original: different they may seem. Their many designations original Latin: Denominationes and names arise not so much from the matter of the stone original Latin: Materia Lapidis; the secret starting material of the Great Work. as from the variations in their work original Latin: laboris; for the beginning, the middle, and the end are noticeably changed, which is why the names also change. They remain silent regarding the matter of the stone and where it may be obtained; and if they do mention it, it happens only symbolically original German: Bedeutungs-weiß, such that they announce a different subject original Latin: Subjectum while meaning their true one beneath it. But if you correctly consider the generation original Latin: generation of animals original Latin: animalien, you will [find] it yourself... The author suggests that the secret of creating the Stone follows the same natural laws as the biological reproduction and growth of living creatures.