Restored Hermetic Science of the Ancient Philosophers

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...that metals can be transmuted, improved, and multiplied to infinity original Latin: in infinitum. Therefore, those who—without distinction—have despised, slandered, and denounced as imposters original: Impostores anyone who has practiced this noble art, must attribute such actions to their own lack of judgment and ignorance original: Ignoranz; for as the common proverb says:

original Latin: Ars non habet osorem, nisi Ignorantem.

Indeed, even highly intelligent and learned people are found who, upon hearing only the name of an alchemist, shudder no differently than if they had seen some cruel wild beast, and in a manner tremble; and before they even know the man, they judge him an imposter. Thus, this subject—the most worthy of all—is judged as vile and wicked. original Latin: Qui audito saltem Alchymistæ nomine non secùs, atque visâ aliquâ Crudeli ferâ exhorrescunt, & quodammodò Contremiscunt & antequam norint, Impostorem judicant: Adeô hæc res omnium dignissima, vilis & improba judicatur.

And it is truly no wonder that this noble art has fallen into contempt original Latin: Contemptum in these present times, because so many high-ranking heads This refers to the princes, dukes, and monarchs who frequently sponsored alchemists in hopes of solving state debts through the creation of gold. are besieged and deceived by sophists Sophisten original: Sophisten; in alchemical literature, a "sophist" is a fraud or "puffer" who uses chemical shortcuts and trickery, rather than following the true, slow laws of Nature. and swindlers, as such fellows come running...