Doctrine of True Alchemy and the Metallic Art

...[tell] me by what judgment I might distinguish not only sophistical and counterfeit books, but also the sycophants and slanderers of the art themselves at first glance.

Theophrastus: I will explain this to you very briefly for your benefit. As far as books are concerned, you should know that nothing more poisonous has crept into this business than the trifles of those who promise to explain the writings of the ancients and boast of being interpreters. Under that name, Lullus original: "Lullus." Referring to Ramon Lull (c. 1232–1316). While a famous philosopher, many alchemical texts attributed to him are considered later counterfeits or "Pseudo-Lullian" works. practiced this vigorously but ironically. Just as he defiled most sciences, so he also corrupted this art. While he strove to teach all arts, he himself knew not even one. He reached such madness that he wished to teach before he had learned. Thus, he also wished to be the leader of this sophistry and imposture. Of this same sort is that little book whose beginning is, All wisdom is from God, original: "Omnis sapientia à Deo." This is a common opening for medieval texts, referencing the Book of Sirach. in which that trifler promises (to use his own words) to untie all the riddles of the Philosophers. He promises to show the stumbling blocks and errors and to lead one from darkness into light. Yet, after he has spoken much with barbaric talkativeness, he sends the reader into more intricate labyrinths, even though he calls his book the "Direct Path." It is truly a thing worthy of laughter, that he persuaded himself he possessed knowledge of things he never learned. He thought the whole race of mortals was as stupid as he was, until he manifested his own ignorance with the greatest disgrace to the more learned. It seemed right to me to refute these things at length, so that I might convict that little man—who calls himself a Philosopher and claims wisdom was granted to him by God—of foolishness. There is not as much danger in the writings of the ancients.

Secondly, you will recognize an impostor immediately from his speech. Right from the first meeting, he thunders about the Stone of Hermes Another name for the Philosopher's Stone, the legendary substance capable of transmuting base metals into gold., the "Philosophical Stone," the "Holy Stone." This is the first proof of insanity. If he then says that the expenses of several years must be endured; if he speaks of subterranean caves, furnaces, straight, curved, open, hidden, slanted, or hanging vessels; if he speaks of burnings and perpetual or at least long-lasting fire; if he talks of charcoal from valleys or mountains; if he speaks of tree-like glassware; if he speaks of the practice of the Greater and Lesser Work; if he speaks of Philosophical Mercury, the King of Antimony, the Mud of Wisdom original: "luto sapientiae." A specialized sealant used to airtight alchemical vessels., or the "Twelve Waters" pertaining to it.

But who can comprehend all this folly in a few words? Therefore, judge anyone who sounds like this and says these things are necessary for the purpose to be either insane, an impostor, or both. If you proceed to attempt anything with him, you will understand in a short time that you may exclaim with the Greeks: the man is a treasure of charcoal. original: "ἄνθρωπος ὁ θησαυρὸς ἄνθρακος." A Greek proverb referring to someone who promises gold but delivers only soot or coal; a great disappointment. Thrust that man immediately into your garden cellar and compel him to the boiling of quicksilver and arsenic. Let him thus bring about a swift death for himself in a task necessary for human use, in place of a salary.

However, if you should happen upon someone to whom all the secrets of this art could be known (a person I believe exists nowhere), it will never seem likely to me that he would teach you the true mysteries of the art. It is quite clear what powerful rulers finally plot against those from whom they learn hidden sciences. You can see what reward these men receive for their immense labors, unless they prefer to be magnificently miserable and live their whole lives in golden shackles.

I would not deny that conversations with experts can scatter the darkness of the mind regarding all noble sciences. Socrates himself confessed that he never administered knowledge to anyone. Rather, just as a doctor does not provide sight but clears away the mist so the eye may focus on an object, so it happens regarding the sciences. The wise have perceived that this takes place most especially in the absolute knowledge of our Chemistry original: "Chymicæ." In 1561, the terms for chemistry and alchemy were often interchangeable.. For them, it is as easy to grow rich (if only they wish to) as it is difficult for the foolish, who desire nothing else above all things. But no one of sound mind will ever admit that the rewards of wisdom are those very riches which are joined with a wonderful variety of hardships and exposed to the mockery of fortune itself. Therefore, they are not to be desired.

Since these things are so, the intemperance of men and the lack of wisdom, joined with the persistence of passions—which Sophocles A famous ancient Greek playwright. called "the mad horses of desire"—drive many headlong. They value this miserable and precarious life and its comforts more than all the reasons for true happiness. It is necessary for such people that, before they begin to be wise, extreme misfortune and the Art itself, through that pitiable fall and foul death, shall cast them down and ruin them.