Magic, or the Secret System

VIII

...the teachings not only of this school, but of this system in general, are presented completely, purely, and worthily. Their content, or the science Original: Wissenschaft; in the 18th-century context, this refers to a systematic body of knowledge or a rigorous philosophical framework, rather than the modern experimental sciences. upon which it is based, cannot, given the actual state of affairs, claim general applause; however, it remains what it is, without deserving contempt. A large part of it is based on the laws of nature Original: Gesetze der Natur; likely referring to the spiritual and "natural" laws of the universe as understood in theosophy or Martinism., which are not fabricated, and on sources of knowledge that are somewhat more than "impure puddles."

Even if certain fundamental doctrines of this system contained less truth than they actually do, one should still wish that they were true, because the benefit of their application must be obvious to every thinking person. They resolve difficulties which the common sciences Original: gemeinen Wissenschaften; referring to the traditional academic and secular disciplines of the Enlightenment which the author finds insufficient for spiritual questions. are not sufficient to resolve; indeed, what is more, they bring to life much that is dead, harmonize the discordant, give all human powers something to do, open a very wide field for the most beneficial activity, and finally show the most sublime goal of the...