PRÆFATIO.

Hence it is clear that not all things are useless which, not being distinguished by the splendor of an external appearance, escape the knowledge of someone. Sometimes a rustic seeks a cow for a stone, which, while far exceeding the cow in price, is nevertheless despised because it is unknown to the man.

Therefore, the external and superficial figure of a thing is not always to be looked at, but also its intimate parts are to be probed and perceived; to reach which, Alchemy, as an instrument for cultivating true Philosophy, clears the path for us and opens a door, so that we may investigate the inner penetralia of each thing. He who knows fire and its use properly will not labor in poverty. He who is imbued with no knowledge of it will not attain much and will not investigate the treasures of nature.

From these things, it appears what great treasures we Germans possess unwittingly, and yet do not convert to our use; a matter which, if foreigners were not as ignorant as we are, they would hitherto easily reproach us Germans, saying that we spend more time on banquets, drinking bouts, and idleness than on good arts and sciences. But since the study of virtue and good morals is decreasing among all nations, and the love of vices and evil morals is increasing, there is no reason why one should uncover and bring into view the donkey's ears of another.