Letter to the Gold-Seeking Lovers of Chemistry and Alchemy

Sophists, who do not know how to form a logical conclusion. I advise them to form a proper syllogism A formal logical argument consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion., regulating the major and minor premises original: "majorem & minorem" philosophically and according to nature; in this way, they will see from the consequence that they cannot fail.

13. In this manner, they must proceed in their theory before even laying a hand on the work, and so they will not ruin themselves in the least or cause damage to their income. By this means, those people who wish to deceive a seeker original: "Liebhaber"; a "lover" or devoted student of alchemy. and rob them of their money will find no audience. For how one should further guard against such people and their sophistical processes, one need only read the Count of Trevisan original: "Comitem Trevisanum"; referring to Bernard of Trevisan, a famous 15th-century alchemist known for his warnings against fraudulent methods. and the famous Kunckel Johann von Löwenstern-Kunckel (1630–1703), a renowned chemist and alchemist who was often skeptical of "sophistical" or false alchemical claims..

14. A seeker must also not seek his science or the preparation of the Stone The Philosopher's Stone, the ultimate goal of the alchemical Great Work. in magical, cabalistic, or algebraic profound mysteries. No! Rather, as was said, one should seek it in good old authors of whom one is certain that they were true owners of this jewel original: "Kleinods"; often used metaphorically to describe the Philosopher's Stone..