Two Dialogues on Alchemy

GEBER. Who, I ask, has ever lived so divine and wise among men, that he has not in some part offended the wicked and the malicious?

5 DEMO: But what do you say about the many very wise men, whose lives are almost blameless, who are involved in the same error?

GEBER. We wrote in Book 1, Chapter 7 of our Summa, that this art The "art" refers to alchemy, specifically the transmutation of metals. is preserved in the divine power of God. He withholds it or grants it to whom He wills. He is glorious and sublime, and filled with all justice and goodness. To this we also added at the end
10 of this book, that we have handed down this art with such skill that it can be understood by no one, unless it is granted to them by God, or they have been taught in it by us, who delivered it.

DEMO: What was the need to write or publish those things which would be understood by no one?

15 GEBER. At the end of the fourth book, I clearly showed that I have cc

handed down this art in a clear and open discourse for the prudent, and cc

for the sons of this doctrine The "sons of doctrine" or "Sons of Art" is a traditional term for initiated alchemists who understand the symbolic language of the craft., so that diligent craftsmen can easily comprehend and understand it. But I warned the ignorant to flee from it, cc

as if it were harmful, an enemy, and a great adversary to them, which
20 easily leads to extreme poverty and the greatest misery. If they do not believe such faithful and fatherly advice, or if they treat it as nothing, they accuse us unjustly. All their error should be attributed to their own ignorance and presumption instead. cc Therefore, if those people are reduced to want and
25 misery, do not think at all that it happened through our fault. For in Book 1, Chapter 5, we showed in clear words that one can reach the perfection of the magisterium The Magisterium refers to the "Mastery" or the successful completion of the Great Work, creating the Philosopher's Stone. at a low price, if they know the principles of the art and correctly understand what we have handed down. What else is this, than to faithfully warn them to guard their
30 money, and not to waste it vainly out of presumption? However, so that they may correctly understand what we have handed down, it is necessary to consider the discourse of this doctrine not from the bare letter, but by deeper investigation. One must penetrate to the marrow of the allegorical meaning. With great industry, one must collect our thoughts cc

and intentions, which are scattered here and there, and which have been deliberately obscured and veiled from the wicked, so that...