Pretiosa margarita novella de thesauro, ac pretiosissimo philosophorum lapide : artis huius divinae typus, et methodus: collectanea ex Arnaldo, Rhaymundo, Rhasi, Alberto, et Michaele Scoto

☿

• *

For all that has been said pertains to the matter. Behold, now, by your help I go forth into the light, not protected by the dignity of Princes or Kings, but accompanied only by virtue itself, imitating in part the custom of the ancient Egyptians, who dedicated all things to Mercurio Mercury, as the author and bestower of virtue and genius itself; and in part, truly, to the Sun alone as the father of all things and of generation. Therefore, I wish it to be dedicated to the Sun and to Mercury, from whose fountain flow all things necessary for this work. And not least to all those who cultivate virtue and whatever is right; but as for all those who possess only enough salt a metaphorical reference to wisdom or sound judgment to neglect and condemn whatever they themselves have not proven, I ask that they inspect the work diligently; let the work itself speak to them, not the author. For when an author speaks in his own commendation, he acts poorly, but it is well when the work itself speaks. A craftsman is to be judged vain in my opinion, who expects praise and honor from others more than from the work itself.