the divine pymander

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THE DIVINE PYMANDER

of

Hermes Mercurius Trismegistus

IN XVII. BOOKS.

Tras!ate" former!# out of t$e Ara%ic& ito 'ree&( a" t$ece ito )atie( a" Dutc$( a" o* out of t$e

origia! ito Eg!is$+ %# Doctor ,-o$ E/erar".

)o"o0 Prite" %# Ro%ert 1$ite( for T$o. Bre*ster( a" 'reg. Mou!e(



,2345

PRE6A7E

-8DI7IO8S READER(

T$is Boo& ma# 9ust!# c$a!!ege t$e first :!ace for ati;uit#( from a!! t$e Boo&s i t$e 1or!"( %eig

*ritte some $u"re"s of #ears %efore Moses $is time( as I s$a!! e"ea/our to ma&e goo". T$e Origia!

<as far as is &o* to us= is Ara%ic( a" se/era! Tras!atios t$ereof $a/e %ee :u%!is$e"( as 'ree&( )ati(

6rec$( Dutc$( etc.( %ut e/er Eg!is$ %efore. It is :it# t$e )eare" Tras!ator ,Dr. E/erar" $a" ot !i/e"(

a" recei/e" $imse!f( t$e $oour( a" t$a&s "ue to $im from t$e Eg!is$me for $is goo" *i!! to( a"

:ais for t$em( i tras!atig a Boo& of suc$ ifiite *ort$( out of t$e Origia!( ito t$eir Mot$er>togue.

7ocerig t$e Aut$or of t$e Boo& itse!f( 6our t$igs are cosi"era%!e( /i?.( His Name( )earig(

7outr#( a" Time.

2. T$e ame %# *$ic$ $e *as commo!# st#!e"( is Hermes Trismegistus( i.e.( Mercurius ter Ma@imus( or(

T$e t$rice greatest Ite!!igecer. A" *e!! mig$t $e %e ca!!e" Hermes( for $e *as t$e first Ite!!igecer i

t$e 1or!" <as *e rea" of= t$at commuicate" Ko*!e"ge to t$e sos of Me( %# 1ritig( or Egra/ig.

He *as ca!!e" Ter Ma@imus( for some Reasos( *$ic$ I s$a!! after*ar"s metio.

. His )earig *i!! a::ear( as %# $is 1or&s+ so %# t$e rig$t u"ersta"ig t$e Reaso of $is Name.

. 6or $is 7outr#( $e *as Kig of Eg#:t.

C. 6or $is Time( it is ot *it$out muc$ 7otro/ers#( %et*i@t t$ose t$at *rite of t$is Di/ie( aciet

Aut$or( *$at time $e !i/e" i. Some sa# $e !i/e" after Moses $is time( gi/ig t$is s!e"er Reaso for it(

/i?.( Because $e *as ame" Ter Ma@imus0 for %eig :referre" ,6raciscus 6!ussas <accor"ig to t$eEg#:tia 7ustoms= %eig c$ief P$i!oso:$er( to %e c$ief of t$e Priest$oo"0 a" from t$ece( to %e c$ief i

'o/ermet( or Kig. But if t$is %e a!! t$eir grou"( #ou must e@cuse m# "isset from t$e( a" t$at for

t$is reaso( Because accor"ig to t$e most !eare" of $is fo!!o*ers ,'e%er( Parace!sus0 Hericus No!!ius

i T$eoria P$i!oso:$ia Hermeticae( tractatu :riimo.( $e *as ca!!e" Ter Ma@imus+ for $a/ig :erfect( a"

e@act Ko*!e"ge of a!! t$igs cotaie" i t$e 1or!"+ *$ic$ t$igs $e "i/i"e" ito T$ree Kig"oms <as

$e ca!!s t$em=( /i?.( Miera!( Vegeta%!e( Aima!+ *$ic$ T$ree( $e "i" e@ce! i t$e rig$t u"ersta"ig of+

a!so( %ecause $e attaie" to( a" trasmitte" to Posterit# <a!t$oug$ i a igmatica!( a" o%scure st#!e=



t$e Ko*!e"ge of t$e uitessece of t$e *$o!e 8i/erse <*$ic$ 8i/erse( as I sai" %efore( $e "i/i"e"

ito T$ree Parts= ot$er*ise ca!!e"( T$e great E!i@ir of t$e P$i!oso:$ers+ *$ic$ is t$e Rece:tac!e of a!!

7e!estia! a" Terrestria! Virtues+ *$ic$ Secret( ma# igorat!# "e#( ma# $a/e c$argea%!# soug$t after(

#et fe*( %ut some( #ea( a" t$e Eg!is$me $a/e $a::i!# fou" ,Ri:!e#( Baco( Norto( etc.. T$e

Descri:tio of t$is great Treasure( is sai" to %e fou" egra/e" u:o a Smarag"ie Ta%!e( i t$e Va!!e# of

E%ro( after t$e 6!oo". So t$at t$e Reaso %efore a!!ege" to :ro/e t$is Aut$or to !i/e after Moses( seemi/a!i"0 eit$er "ot$ it a# *a# a::ear( t$at $e !i/e" i Moses $is time( a!t$oug$ it %e t$e o:iio of

some( as of -o$ 6uctius( *$o sait$ i $is 7$roo!og#( T$at $e !i/e" T*et#>oe #ears %efore t$e )a*

*as gi/e %# Moses i t$e 1i!"eress+ But t$e Reasos t$at $e( a" ot$ers gi/e( are far *ea&er t$a t$ose

t$at I s$a!! gi/e( for $is !i/ig %efore Moses $is time. M# reasos for t$at are t$ese0F

6irst( Because it is recei/e" amogst t$e Aciets( t$at $e *as t$e first t$at i/ete" t$e Art of

commuicatig Ko*!e"ge to t$e 1or!"( %# 1ritig or Egra/ig. No* if so( t$e i a!! :ro%a%i!it# $e

*as %efore Moses+ for it is sai" of Moses t$at $e *as from $is c$i!"$oo" ,Acts /ii. s&i!!e" i a!! t$e

Eg#:tia )earig( *$ic$ cou!" ot *e!! $a/e %ee *it$out t$e $e!: of )iterature( *$ic$ *e e/er rea"of a# %efore t$at i/ete" %# Hermes ,7$a:ter @..

Seco"!#( $e is sai" %# $imse!f( to %e t$e so of Satur a" %# ot$ers to %e t$e Scri%e of Satur. No*

Satur accor"ig to Historias( !i/e" i t$e time of Sarug( A%ra$amGs great 'ra">6at$er

,Sac$oiat$o. I s$a!! %ut ta&e i Sui"as $is 9u"gmet( a" so rest satisfie"( t$at $e "i" ot !i/e o!#

%efore( %ut !og %efore Moses+ His *or"s are t$ese( 7re"o Mercurium Trismegistum sa:ietem Eg#:tium

f!oruisse ate P$araoem ,Sui"as.

I t$is Boo&( t$oug$ so /er# o!"( is cotaie" more true &o*!e"ge of 'o" a" Nature( t$a i a!! t$e

Boo&s i t$e 1or!" %esi"es( e@ce:t o!# Sacre" 1rit+ A" t$e# t$at s$a!! 9u"icious!# rea" it( a" rig$t!#

u"ersta" it( ma# *e!! %e e@cuse" from rea"ig ma# Boo&s+ t$e Aut$ors of *$ic$( :rete" so muc$ to

t$e &o*!e"ge of t$e 7reator( a" 7reatio. If 'o" e/er a::eare" i a# ma( $e a::eare" i $im( as it

a::ears %# t$is Boo&. T$at a ma *$o $a" ot t$e %eefit of $is AcestorsG &o*!e"ge( %eig as I sai"

%efore( T$e first i/etor of t$e Art of 7ommuicatig Ko*!e"ge to Posterit# %# *ritig( s$ou!" %e so

$ig$ a Di/ie( a" so "ee: a P$i!oso:$er( seems to %e a t$ig more of 'o" t$a of Ma+ a" t$erefore it

*as t$e o:iio of some T$at $e came from Hea/e( ot %or u:o Eart$ ,'oro:ius Becaus. T$ere is

cotaie" i t$is Boo&( t$at true P$i!oso:$#( *it$out *$ic$( it is im:ossi%!e e/er to attai to t$e $eig$t(

a" e@actess of Piet#( a" Re!igio. Accor"ig to t$is P$i!oso:$#( I ca!! $im a P$i!oso:$er( t$at s$a!!

!ear a" stu"# t$e t$igs t$at are( a" $o* t$e# are or"ere"( a" go/ere"( a" %# *$om( a" for *$at

cause( or to *$at e"+ a" $e t$at "ot$ so( *i!! ac&o*!e"ge t$a&s to( a" a"mire t$e Omi:otet

7reator( Preser/er( a" Director of a!! t$ese t$igs. A" $e t$at s$a!! %e t$us tru!# t$a&fu!( ma# tru!# %e

ca!!e" Pious a" Re!igious0 a" $e t$at is Re!igious( s$a!! more a" more &o* *$ere a" *$at t$e Trut$

is0 A" !earig t$at( $e s$a!! #et %e more a" more Re!igious.



T$e g!or# a" s:!e"our of P$i!oso:$#( is a e"ea/orig to u"ersta" t$e c$ief 'oo"( as t$e 6outai

of a!! 'oo"0 No* $o* ca *e come ear to( or fi" out t$e 6outai( %ut %# ma&ig use of t$e Streams as

a co"uct to it T$e o:eratios of Nature( are Streams ruig from t$e 6outai of 'oo"( *$ic$ is 'o".

I am ot of t$e igorat( a" foo!is$ o:iio of t$ose t$at sa#( T$e greatest P$i!oso:$ers are t$e greatest

At$eists0 as if to &o* t$e *or&s of 'o"( a" to u"ersta" $is goigs fort$ i t$e 1a# of Nature( must

ecessitate a ma to "e# 'o". T$e ,-o% Scri:ture "isa::ro/es of t$is as a sottis$ teet( a" e@:eriececotra"icts it0 6or %e$o!" Here is t$e greatest P$i!oso:$er( a" t$erefore t$e greatest Di/ie.

Rea" u"ersta"ig!# t$is esuig Boo& <a" for t$# $e!: t$ou ma#est ma&e use of t$at /o!umious

7ommetar# *ritte u:o it ,Ha%a! Offe!i A!a%ar = t$e it *i!! s:ea& more for its Aut$or( t$a ca %e

s:o&e %# a# ma( at !east %# me.

T$ie i t$e !o/e of Trut$( -.6.



HERMES TRISME'IST8S( HIS 6IRST BOOK

2. O MY SON( *rite t$is 6irst Boo&( %ot$ for Humait#Js sa&e( a" for Piet# to*ar"s go".

. 6or t$ere ca %e o Re!igio more true or 9ust( t$a to &o* t$e t$igs t$at are+ a" to ac&o*!e"ge

t$a&s for a!! t$igs( to Him t$at ma"e t$em( *$ic$ t$ig I s$a!! ot cease cotiua!!# to "o.

. 1$at t$e s$ou!" a ma "o( O 6at$er( to !ea" $is !ife *e!!+ seeig t$ere is ot$ig $ere true

C. Be Pious a" Re!igious( O m# So+ for $e t$at "ot$ so( is t$e %est a" $ig$est P$i!oso:$er( a" *it$out

P$i!oso:$# it is im:ossi%!e e/er to attai to t$e $eig$t a" e@actess of Piet# a" Re!igio.

4. But $e t$at s$a!! !ear a" stu"# t$e t$igs t$at are( a" $o* t$e# are or"ere" a" go/ere"( a" %#

*$om( a" for *$at cause( or to *$at e". 1i!! ac&o*!e"ge t$a&s to t$e 1or&ma( as to a goo" 6at$er(

a e@ce!!et Nurse( a" a fait$fu! Ste*ar"( a" $e t$at gi/es t$a&s s$a!! %e Pious or Re!igious( a" $e

t$at is Re!igious s$a!! &o* %ot$ *$ere t$e trut$ is( a" *$at it is( a" !earig t$at $e *i!! %e #et more

a" more Re!igious.

3. 6or e/er( O m# So( s$a!!( or ca t$at sou!( *$ic$( *$i!e it is i t$e %o"#( !ig$tes a" !ifts u: itse!f to&o* a" com:re$e" t$at *$ic$ is goo" a" true( s!i"e %ac& to t$e cotrar#. 6or it is ifiite!#

eamoure" t$ereof( a" forgettet$ a!! e/i!s+ a" *$e it $at$ !eare" a" &o* its 6at$er a" Progeitor(

it ca o more a:ostati?e or "e:art from t$at goo".

. A" !et t$is( O So( %e t$e e" of Re!igio a" Piet#+ *$ereuto t$ou art oce arri/e"( t$ou s$a!t %ot$

!i/e *e!! a" "ie %!esse"!#( *$i!st t$# sou! is ot igorat *it$er it must retur( a" f!# %ac& agai.

L. 6or t$is o!#( O So( is t$e *a# to Trut$( *$ic$ our Progeitors tra/e!!e" i+ a" %# *$ic$ ma&ig t$eir

9oure#( t$e# at !egt$ attaie" to t$e goo". It is a /eera%!e *a# a" :!ai( %ut $ar" a" "ifficu!t for t$e

sou! to go i t$at is i t$e %o"#.

. 6or first must it *ar agaist its o* se!f( a" after muc$ strife a" "issetio( it must %e o/ercome of

t$e :art+ for t$e cotetio is of oe agaist t*o( *$i!st it f!ies a*a#( a" t$e# stri/e to $o!" a" "etai it.



25. But t$e /ictor# of %ot$ is ot !i&e( for t$e oe $astet$ to t$at *$ic$ is 'oo"( %ut t$e ot$er is a

eig$%our to t$e t$igs t$at are E/i!+ a" t$at *$ic$ is 'oo" "esiret$ to %e set at !i%ert#( %ut t$e t$igs

t$at are E/i! !o/e %o"age a" S!a/er#.

22. A" if t$e t*o :arts %e o/ercome( t$e# %ecome ;uiet( a" are cotet to acce:t of it as t$eir Ru!er+ %ut

if t$e oe %e o/ercome of t$e t*o( it is %# t$em !e" a" carrie" to %e :uis$e" %# its %eig a"

cotiuace $ere.

2. T$is is( O So( t$e 'ui"e i t$e *a# t$at !ea"s t$it$er+ for t$ou must first forsa&e t$e Bo"# %efore t$#

e"( a" get t$e /ictor# i t$is cotetio a" strifefu! !ife( a" *$e t$ou $ast o/ercome( retur.

2. But o*( O m# So( I *i!! %# Hea"s ru t$roug$ t$e t$igs t$at are. 8"ersta" t$ou *$at I sa#( a"

remem%er *$at t$ou $earest.

2C. A!! t$igs t$at are mo/e"( o!# t$at *$ic$ is ot is immo/ea%!e.

24. E/er# %o"# is c$agea%!e.

23. Not e/er# %o"# is "isso!/ea%!e.

2. Some %o"ies are "isso!/ea%!e.

2L. E/er# !i/ig %eig is ot morta!.

2. Nor e/er# !i/ig t$ig is immorta!.

5. T$at *$ic$ ma# %e "isso!/e" is a!so corru:ti%!e.



2. T$at *$ic$ a%i"es a!*a#s is uc$agea%!e.

. T$at *$ic$ is uc$agea%!e is etera!.

. T$at *$ic$ is a!*a#s ma"e is a!*a#s corru:te".

C. T$at *$ic$ is ma"e %ut oce is e/er corru:te"( eit$er %ecomes a# ot$er t$ig.

4. 6irst!#( 'o"+ seco"!#( t$e 1or!"+ t$ir"!#( Ma.

3. T$e 1or!" for Ma+ Ma for 'o".

. Of t$e Sou!+ t$at :art *$ic$ is sesi%!e is morta!( %ut t$at :art *$ic$ is reasoa%!e is immorta!.

L. E/er# Essece is immorta!.

. E/er# Essece is uc$agea%!e.

5. E/er#t$ig t$at is( is "ou%!e.

2. Noe of t$e t$igs t$at are sta" sti!!.

. Not a!! t$igs are mo/e" %# a sou!( %ut e/er#t$ig t$at is( is mo/e" %# a sou!.

. E/er#t$ig t$at suffers is sesi%!e+ e/er#t$ig t$at is sesi%!e( sufferet$.



C. E/er#t$ig t$at is sa"( re9oicet$ a!so+ a" is a morta! !i/ig creature.

4. Not e/er#t$ig t$at 9o#et$ is a!so sa"( %ut is a etera! !i/ig t$ig.

3. Not e/er# %o"# is sic&+ e/er# %o"# t$at is sic& is "isso!/ea%!e.

. T$e mi" i 'o".

L. Reasoig <or "is:utig or "iscoursig= i Ma.

. Reaso i t$e Mi".

C5. T$e Mi" is /oi" of sufferig.

C2. No t$ig i a %o"# true.

C. A!! t$at is icor:orea!( is /oi" of )#ig.

C. E/er#t$ig t$at is ma"e is corru:ti%!e.

CC. Not$ig goo" u:o Eart$+ ot$ig e/i! i Hea/e.

C4. 'o" is goo"+ Ma is e/i!.

C3. 'oo" is /o!utar#( or of its o* accor".



C. E/i! is i/o!utar#( or agaist its *i!!.

CL. T$e go"s c$oose goo" t$igs( as goo" t$igs.

C. Time is a Di/ie t$ig.

45. )a* is $umae.

42. Ma!ice is t$e ouris$met of t$e 1or!".

4. Time is t$e corru:tio of Ma.

4. 1$atsoe/er is i Hea/e is ua!tera%!e.

4C. A!! u:o Eart$ is a!tera%!e.

44. Not$ig i Hea/e is ser/ate"+ ot$ig u:o Eart$ free.

43. Not$ig u&o* i Hea/e+ ot$ig &o* u:o Eart$.

4. T$e t$igs u:o Eart$ commuicate ot *it$ t$ose i Hea/e.

4L. A!! t$igs i Hea/e are u%!amea%!e+ a!! t$igs u:o Eart$ are su%9ect to re:re$esio.

4. T$at *$ic$ is immorta! is ot morta!+ t$at *$ic$ is morta! is ot immorta!.



35. T$at *$ic$ is so* is ot a!*a#s %egotte+ %ut t$at *$ic$ is %egotte a!*a#s is so*.

32. Of a "isso!/ea%!e %o"#( t$ere are t*o times+ oe for so*ig to geeratio( oe from geeratio to

"eat$.

3. Of a e/er!astig Bo"#( t$e time is o!# from t$e 'eeratio.

3. Disso!/ea%!e Bo"ies are icrease" a" "imiis$e".

3C. Disso!/ea%!e matter is a!tere" ito cotraries+ to *it( 7orru:tio a" 'eeratio( %ut Etera! matter

ito itse!f( a" its !i&e.

34. T$e 'eeratio of Ma is corru:tio+ t$e 7orru:tio of Ma is t$e %egiig of 'eeratio.

33. T$at *$ic$ offs:rigs or %egettet$ aot$er( is itse!f a offs:rig or %egotte %# aot$er.

3. Of t$igs t$at are( some are i %o"ies( some i t$eir IDEAS.

3L. 1$asoe/er t$igs %e!og to o:eratio or *or&ig( are i a %o"#.

3. T$at *$ic$ is immorta!( :arta&es ot of t$at *$ic$ is morta!.

5. T$at *$ic$ is morta! comet$ ot ito a Bo"# immorta!+ %ut t$at *$ic$ is immorta! comet$ ito t$at

*$ic$ is morta!.

2. O:eratio or 1or&igs are ot carrie" u:*ar"s( %ut "esce" "o**ar"s.



. T$igs u:o Eart$( "o ot$ig a"/atage t$ose i Hea/e+ %ut a!! t$igs i Hea/e "o :rofit a"

a"/atage a!! t$igs u:o Eart$.

. Hea/e is ca:a%!e( a" a fit rece:tac!e of e/er!astig Bo"ies+ t$e Eart$ of corru:ti%!e Bo"ies.

C. T$e Eart$ is %rutis$+ t$e Hea/e is reasoa%!e or ratioa!.

4. T$ose t$igs t$at are i Hea/e are su%9ecte" or :!ace" u"er it( %ut t$e t$igs o eart$ are :!ace"

u:o it.

3. Hea/e is t$e first e!emet.

. Pro/i"ece is Di/ie or"er.

L. Necessit# is t$e Miister or Ser/at of Pro/i"ece.

. 6ortue is t$e carriage or effect of t$at *$ic$ is *it$out or"er+ t$e I"o! of o:eratio( a !#ig 6atasie

or o:iio.

L5. 1$at is 'o" T$e immuta%!e or ua!tera%!e goo".

L2. 1$at is ma A uc$agea%!e e/i!.

L. If t$ou :erfect!# remem%er t$ese Hea"s( t$ou cast ot forget t$ose t$igs *$ic$ i more *or"s I$a/e !arge!# e@:ou"e" uto t$ee+ for t$ese are t$e cotets or A%ri"gmet of t$em.

L. A/oi" a!! co/ersatio *it$ t$e mu!titu"e or commo :eo:!e+ for I *ou!" ot $a/e t$ee su%9ect to

E/#( muc$ !ess to %e ri"icu!ous uto t$e ma#.



LC. 6or t$e !i&e a!*a#s ta&es to itse!f t$at *$ic$ is !i&e( %ut t$e u!i&e e/er agrees *it$ t$e u!i&e. Suc$

"iscourses as t$ese $a/e /er# fe* Au"itors( a" :era"/eture /er# fe* *i!! $a/e( %ut t$e# $a/e

somet$ig :ecu!iar uto t$emse!/es.

L4. T$e# "o rat$er s$ar:e a" *$et e/i! me to t$eir ma!iciousess+ t$erefore( it %e$o/et$ to a/oi" t$e

mu!titu"e( a" ta&e $ee" of t$em as ot u"ersta"ig t$e /irtue a" :o*er of t$e t$igs t$at are sai".

L3. Ho* "oes t$ou mea( O 6at$er

L. T$is O So0 t$e *$o!e ature a" 7om:ositio of t$ose !i/ig t$igs ca!!e" Me( is /er# :roe to

Ma!iciousess( a" is /er# fami!iar( a" as it *ere ouris$e" *it$ it( a" t$erefore is "e!ig$te" *it$ it+

o* t$is *ig$t( if it s$a!! come to !ear or &o* t$at t$e *or!" *as oce ma"e( a" a!! t$igs are "oe

accor"ig to Pro/i"ece or Necessit#( Desti# or 6ate( %earig ru!e o/er a!!( *i!! $e ot %e muc$ *orse

t$a $imse!f( "es:isig t$e *$o!e( %ecause it *as ma"e A" if $e ma# !a# t$e cause of E/i! u:o 6ate or

Desti#( $e *i!! e/er a%stai from a# e/i! *or&.

LL. 1$erefore *e must !oo& *ari!# to suc$ &i" of :eo:!e( t$at %eig i igorace t$e# ma# %e !ess e/i!

for fear of t$at *$ic$ is $i""e a" &e:t secret.

T$e E" of THE 6IRST BOOK O6 HERMES....



THE SE7OND BOOK( 7A))ED( POEMANDER

MY THO8'HTS %eig oce serious!# %usie" a%out t$igs t$at are( a" m# 8"ersta"ig !ifte" u:( a!!

m# %o"i!# Seses %eig e@cee"ig!# $o!"e %ac&( as it is *it$ t$em t$at are $ea/# of s!ee:( %# reaso

eit$er of fu!ess of meat( or of %o"i!# !a%our0 Met$oug$t I sa* oe of a e@cee"ig great stature( a" of

a ifiite greatess( ca!! me %# m# ame( a" sa# uto me( 1$at *ou!"st t$ou $ear a" see Or *$at

*ou!"st t$ou u"ersta" to !ear a" &o*

. T$e sai" I( 1$o are T$ou I am( ;uot$ $e( Poema"er( t$e mi" of t$e great )or"( t$e most mig$t#

a" a%so!ute Em:eror0 I &o* *$at t$ou *ou!"st $a/e( a" I am a!*a#s :reset *it$ t$ee.

. T$e I sai"( I *ou!" !ear t$e t$igs t$at are( a" u"ersta" t$e ature of t$em( a" &o* 'o". Ho*

sai" $e. I as*ere" t$at I *ou!" g!a"!# $ear. T$e sai" $e( Ha/e me agai i t$e# mi"( a" *$asoe/er

t$oug$ *ou!"st !ear( I *i!! teac$ t$ee.

C. 1$e $e $a" t$us sai"( $e *as c$age" i $is I"ea or 6orm( a" straig$t*a#( i t$e t*i&!ig of a

e#e( a!! t$igs *ere o:ee" uto me. A" I sa* a ifiite sig$t( a!! t$igs *ere %ecome !ig$t( %ot$ s*eet

a" e@cee"ig :!easat+ a" I *as *o"erfu!!# "e!ig$te" i t$e %e$o!"ig it.

4. But after a !itt!e *$i!e( t$ere *as a "ar&ess ma"e i :art( comig "o* o%!i;ue!#( fearfu! a" $i"eous(*$ic$ seeme" uto me to %e c$age" ito a certai moist ature( us:ea&a%!# trou%!e"( *$ic$ #ie!"e" a

smo&e as from 6ire+ a" from *$ece :rocee"e" a /oice uuttera%!e( a" /er# mourfu!( %ut iarticu!ate(

iasmuc$ as it seeme" to $a/e come from t$e )ig$t.

3. T$e from t$at )ig$t( a certai $o!# 1or" 9oie" itse!f uto Nature( a" outf!e* t$e :ure a" umi@e"

6ire from t$e moist ature u:*ar"s o $ig$+ it *as e@cee"ig )ig$t( a" s$ar:( a" o:erati/e *it$a!. A"

t$e Air( *$ic$ *as a!so !ig$t( fo!!o*e" t$e S:irit a" moure" u: to 6ire <from t$e Eart$ a" t$e 1ater=(

isomuc$ t$at it seeme" to $ag a" "e:e" u:o it.

. A" t$e Eart$ a" t$e 1ater sta#e" %# t$emse!/es so mig!e" toget$er( t$at t$e Eart$ cou!" ot %e see

for t$e 1ater( %ut t$e# *ere mo/e" %ecause of t$e S:iritua! *or" t$at *as carrie" u:o t$em.



L. T$e sai" Poema"er uto me( Dost t$ou u"ersta" t$is /isio( a" *$at it meaet$ I s$a!! &o*(

sai" I. T$e sai" $e( I am t$at )ig$t( t$e Mi"( t$# 'o"( *$o am %efore t$at moist ature t$at a::eare"

out of "ar&ess+ a" t$at %rig$t a" !ig$tfu! 1or" from t$e mi" is t$e So of 'o".

. Ho* is t$at( ;uot$ I T$us( re:!ie" $e( u"ersta" it0 T$at *$ic$ i t$ee seet$ a" $earet$( t$e 1or" of

t$e )or"( a" t$e Mi" t$e 6at$er( 'o"( "iffer ot oe from t$e ot$er+ a" t$e uio of t$ese is )ife.

Trismeg.>>I t$a& t$ee.

Pima".>>But first cocei/e *e!! t$e )ig$t i t$e# mi"( a" &o* it.

25. 1$e $e $a" sai" t$us( for a !og time *e !oo&e" stea"fast!# oe u:o t$e ot$er( isomuc$ t$at I

trem%!e" at $is I"ea or 6orm.

22. But *$e $e o""e" to me( I %e$e!" i m# mi" t$e )ig$t t$at is i iumera%!e( a" t$e tru!#

i"efiite oramet or *or!"+ a" t$at t$e 6ire is com:re$e"e" or cotaie" i( or %# a great moist

Po*er( a" costraie" to &ee: its statio.

2. T$ese t$igs I u"erstoo"( seeig t$e *or"( or Pima"er+ a" *$e I *as mig$ti!# ama?e"( $e sai"

agai uto me( Hast t$ou see i t$# mi" t$at Arc$et#:a! 6orm *$ic$ *as %efore t$e itermiate" a"

ifiite Begiig T$us Pima"er to me. But *$ece( ;uot$ I( or *$ereof are t$e E!emets of Nature

ma"e

Pima"er.>>Of t$e 1i!! a" couse! of 'o"+ *$ic$ ta&ig t$e 1or"( a" %e$o!"ig t$e %eautifu! 1or!"

<i t$e Arc$et#:e t$ereof= imitate" it( a" so ma"e t$is 1or!"( %# t$e :rici:!es a" /ita! see"s or Sou!>

!i&e :ro"uctios of itse!f.

2. 6or t$e Mi" %eig 'o"( Ma!e a" 6ema!e( )ife a" )ig$t( %roug$t fort$ %# $is 1or" aot$er Mi"

or 1or&ma+ *$ic$ %eig 'o" of t$e 6ire( a" t$e S:irit( fas$ioe" a" forme" se/e ot$er 'o/erors(

*$ic$ i t$eir circ!es cotai t$e Sesi%!e 1or!"( *$ose 'o/ermet or "is:ositio is ca!!e" 6ate or

Desti#.

2C. Straig$t*a# !ea:e" out( or e@a!te" itse!f from t$e "o**ar" E!emets of 'o"( T$e 1or" of 'o"( ito

t$e c!ea a" :ure 1or&mas$i: of Nature( a" *as uite" to t$e 1or&ma( Mi"( for it *as

7osu%statia!+ a" so t$e "o**ar" %or e!emets of Nature *ere !eft *it$out Reaso( t$at t$e# mig$t

%e t$e o!# Matter.



24. But t$e 1or&ma( Mi"( toget$er *it$ t$e 1or"( cotaiig t$e circ!es( a" *$ir!ig t$em a%out(

ture" rou" as a *$ee!( $is o* 1or&mas$i:s+ a" suffere" t$em to %e ture" from a i"efiite

Begiig to a i"etermia%!e e"( for t$e# a!*a#s %egi *$ere t$e# e".

23. A" t$e 7ircu!atio or ruig rou" of t$ese( as t$e mi" *i!!et$( out of t$e !o*er or "o**ar">%or

E!emets( %roug$t fort$ ureasoa%!e or %rutis$ 7reatures( for t$e# $a" o reaso( t$e Air f!#ig t$igs(

a" t$e 1ater suc$ as s*im.

2. A" t$e Eart$ a" t$e 1ater *ere se:arate"( eit$er from t$e ot$er( as t$e Mi" *ou!"+ a" t$e Eart$

%roug$t fort$ from $erse!f( suc$ !i/ig creatures as s$e $a"( four>foote" a" cree:ig %easts( *i!" a"

tame.

2L. But t$e 6at$er of a!! t$igs( t$e Mi" %eig )ife a" )ig$t( %roug$t fort$ Ma !i&e uto $imse!f(

*$om $e !o/e" s $is :ro:er Birt$+ for $e *as a!! %eauteous( $a/ig t$e image of $is 6at$er.

2. 6or i"ee" 'o" *as e@cee"ig!# eamoure" of $is o* form or s$a:e( a" "e!i/ere" uto it a!! $is

o* 1or&mas$i:s. But $e( seeig a" u"ersta"ig t$e 7reatio of t$e 1or&ma i t$e *$o!e( *ou!"

ee"s a!so $imse!f fa!! to *or&( a" so *as se:arate" from t$e 6at$er( %eig i t$e s:$ere of 'eeratio

or O:eratio.

5. Ha/ig a!! Po*er( $e cosi"ere" t$e O:eratios or 1or&mas$i:s of t$e Se/e+ %ut t$e# !o/e" $im(

a" e/er#oe ma"e $im :arta&er of $is o* or"er.

2. A" $e !earig "i!iget!#( a" u"ersta"ig t$eir Essece( a" :arta&ig t$eir Nature( reso!/e" to

:ierce a" %rea& t$roug$ t$e 7ircumferece of t$e 7irc!es( a" to u"ersta" t$e :o*er of $im t$at sits

u:o t$e 6ire.

. A" $a/ig a!rea"# a!! :o*er of morta! t$igs( of t$e )i/ig( a" of t$e ureasoa%!e creatures of t$e

1or!"( stoo:e" "o* a" :ee:e" t$roug$ t$e Harmo#( a" %rea&ig t$roug$ t$e stregt$ of t$e 7irc!es(

so s$o*e" a" ma"e maifest t$e "o**ar">%or Nature( t$e fair a" %eautifu! S$a:e or 6orm of 'o".



. 1$ic$( *$e $e sa*( $a/ig i itse!f t$e usatia%!e Beaut#( a" a!! t$e o:eratios of t$e Se/e

'o/erors( a" t$e 6orm or S$a:e of 'o"( $e smi!e" for !o/e( as if $e $a" see t$e s$a:e or !i&eess i

t$e 1ater( or t$e s$a"o* u:o t$e Eart$( of t$e fairest Huma form.

C. A" seeig i t$e 1ater a S$a:e( a S$a:e !i&e uto $imse!f( i $imse!f $e !o/e" it( a" *ou!" co$a%it

*it$ it( a" imme"iate!# u:o t$e reso!utio esue" t$e o:eratio( a" %roug$t fort$ t$e ureasoa%!e

Image or S$a:e.

4. Nature :reset!# !a#ig $o!" of *$at it so muc$ !o/e"( "i" *$o!!# *ra: $erse!f a%out it( a" t$e# *ere

mig!e"( for t$e# !o/e" oe aot$er.

3. A" from t$is cause Ma a%o/e a!! t$igs t$at !i/e u:o eart$ is "ou%!e0 Morta!( %ecause of $is %o"#(

a" Immorta!( %ecause of t$e su%statia! Ma. 6or %eig immorta!( a" $a/ig :o*er of a!! t$igs( $e #et

suffers morta! t$igs( a" suc$ as are su%9ect to 6ate or Desti#.

. A" t$erefore %eig a%o/e a!! Harmo#( $e is ma"e a" %ecome a ser/at to Harmo#( $e is

Herma:$ro"ite( or Ma!e a" 6ema!e( a" *atc$fu!( $e is go/ere" %# a" su%9ecte" to a 6at$er( t$at is

%ot$ Ma!e a" 6ema!e( a" *atc$fu!.

L. After t$ese t$igs( I sai"( T$ou art m# mi"( a" I am i !o/e *it$ Reaso.

. T$e sai" Pima"er( T$is is t$e M#ster# t$at to t$is "a# is $i""e a" &e:t secret+ for Nature %eig

mig!e" *it$ ma( %roug$t fort$ a 1o"er most 1o"erfu!+ for $e $a/ig t$e ature of t$e Harmo# of

t$e Se/e( from $im *$om I to!" t$ee( t$e 6ire a" t$e S:irit( Nature cotiue" ot( %ut fort$*it$ %roug$t

fort$ se/e Me( a!! Ma!es a" 6ema!es( a" su%!ime( or o $ig$( accor"ig to t$e Natures of t$e se/e

'o/erors.

5. A" after t$ese t$igs( O Pima"er( ;uot$ I( I am o* come ito a great "esire a" !ogig to $ear+ "oot "igress or ru out.

2. But $e sai"( Kee: si!ece( for I $a/e ot #et fiis$e" t$e first s:eec$.



. Trism. Be$o!"( I am si!et.

. Pim. T$e 'eeratio t$erefore of t$ese Se/e *as after t$is maer0>>T$e Air %eig 6emiie a" t$e

1ater "esirous of 7o:u!atio( too& from t$e 6ire its ri:eess( a" from t$e aet$er S:irit( a" so Nature

:ro"uce" Bo"ies after t$e s:ecies a" s$a:e of me.

C. A" ma *as ma"e of )ife a" )ig$t( ito Sou! a" Mi"+ of )ife t$e sou!( of )ig$t t$e Mi".

4. A" so a!! t$e mem%ers of t$e Sesi%!e 1or!"( cotiue" uto t$e :erio" of t$e e"( %earig ru!e a"

geeratig.

3. Hear o* t$e rest of t$at s:eec$ t$ou so muc$ "esiret$ to $ear.

. 1$e t$at :erio" *as fu!fi!!e"( t$e %o" of a!! t$igs *as !oose" a" utie" %# t$e *i!! of 'o"+ for a!!

!i/ig 7reatures %eig Herma:$ro"itica!( or Ma!e a" 6ema!e( *ere !oose" a" utie" toget$er *it$ ma+

a" so t$e Ma!es *ere a:art %# t$emse!/es a" t$e 6ema!es !i&e*ise.

L. A" straig$t*a#s 'o" sai" to t$e Ho!# 1or"( Icrease i icreasig a" mu!ti:!#ig i mu!titu"e a!!

#ou m# 7reatures a" 1or&mas$i:s. A" !et $im t$at is e"ue" *it$ mi"( &o* $imse!f to %eimmorta!+ a" t$at t$e cause of "eat$ is t$e !o/e of t$e %o"#( a" !et $im !ear a!! t$igs t$at are.

. 1$e $e $a" t$us sai"( Pro/i"ece %# 6ate of Harmo#( ma"e t$e mi@tures a" esta%!is$e" t$e

'eeratios( a" a!! t$igs *ere mu!ti:!ie" accor"ig to t$eir &i". A" $e t$at &e* $imse!f( came at

!egt$ to t$e Su:erstatia! of e/er# *a# su%statia! goo".

C5. But $e t$at t$roJ t$e error of )o/e !o/e" t$e Bo"#( a%i"et$ *a"erig i "ar&ess( sesi%!e( sufferig

t$e t$igs of "eat$.

C2. Trism. But *$# "o t$e# t$at are igorat( si so muc$( t$at t$e# s$ou!" t$erefore %e "e:ri/e" of

immorta!it#



C. Pim. T$ou seemest ot to $a/e u"erstoo" *$at t$ou $ast $ear".

C. Trism. Pera"/eture I seem so to t$ee+ %ut I %ot$ u"ersta" a" remem%er t$em.

CC. Pim. I am g!a" for t$# sa&e if t$ou u"erstoo"est t$em.

C4. Trism. Te!! me *$# are t$e# *ort$# of "eat$( t$at are i "eat$

C3. Pim. Because t$ere goet$ a sa" a" "isma! "ar&ess %efore its %o"#+ of *$ic$ "ar&ess is t$e moist

ature( of *$ic$ moist ature t$e Bo"# cosistet$ i t$e sesi%!e *or!"( from *$ece "eat$ is "eri/e".

Has t$ou u"erstoo" t$is arig$t

C. Trism. But *$#( or $o* "ot$ $e t$at u"ersta"s $imse!f( go or :ass ito 'o"

CL. Pim. T$at *$ic$ t$e 1or" of 'o" sai"( sa# I0 Because t$e 6at$er of a!! t$igs cosists of )ife a"

)ig$t( *$ereof ma is ma"e.

C. Trism. T$ou sa#est /er# *e!!.

45. Pim. 'o" a" t$e 6at$er is )ig$t a" )ife( of *$ic$ Ma is ma"e. If t$erefore t$ou !ear a" %e!ie/e

t$#se!f to %e of t$e )ife a" )ig$t( t$ou s$a!t agai :ass ito )ife.

42. Trism. But #et te!! me more( O m# Mi"( $o* I s$a!! go ito )ife.

4. Pim. 'o" sait$( )et ma( e"ue" *it$ a mi"( mar&( cosi"er( a" &o* $imse!f *e!!.

4. Trism. Ha/e ot a!! me a mi"



4C. Pim. Ta&e $ee" *$at t$ou sa#est( for I t$e mi" come uto me t$at are $o!# a" goo"( :ure a"

mercifu!( a" t$at !i/e :ious!# a" re!igious!#+ a" m# :resece is a $e!: uto t$em. A" fort$*it$ t$e#

&o* a!! t$igs( a" !o/ig!# t$e# su::!icate a" :ro:itiate t$e 6at$er+ a" %!essig $im( t$e# gi/e $im

t$a&s( a" sig $#ms uto $im( %eig or"ere" a" "irecte" %# fi!ia! Affectio a" atura! )o/e. A"

%efore t$e# gi/e u: t$eir %o"ies to t$e "eat$ of t$em( t$e# $ate t$eir seses( &o*ig t$eir 1or&s a"

O:eratios.

44. Rat$er I t$at am t$e Mi" itse!f( *i!! ot suffer t$e o:eratios or 1or&s( *$ic$ $a::e or %e!og to

t$e %o"#( to %e fiis$e" a" %roug$t to :erfectio i t$em+ %ut %eig t$e Porter or Door&ee:er( I *i!! s$ut

u: t$e etraces of E/i!( a" cut off t$e t$oug$tfu! "esires of fi!t$# *or&s.

43. But to t$e foo!is$( a" e/i!( a" *ic&e"( a" e/ious( a" co/etous( a" mur"erous( a" :rofae( I am

far off( gi/ig :!ace to t$e re/egig Demo( *$ic$ a::!#ig uto $im t$e s$ar:ess of fire( tormetet$

suc$ a ma sesi%!e( a" armet$ $im t$e more to a!! *ic&e"ess( t$at $e ma# o%tai t$e greater :uis$met.

4. A" suc$ a oe e/er ceaset$( $a/ig ufu!fi!e" "esires( a" usatisfia%!e cocu:isceces( a"

a!*a#s fig$tig i "ar&ess+ for t$e Demo a!*a#s aff!icts a" tormetet$ $im cotiua!!#( a" icreaset$

t$e fire u:o $im more a" more.

4L. Trism. T$ou $ast( O Mi"( most e@ce!!et!# taug$t me a!! t$igs( as I "esire"+ %ut te!! me( moreo/er(

after t$e retur is ma"e( *$at t$e

4. Pim. 6irst of a!!( i t$e reso!utio of t$e materia! %o"#( t$e Bo"# itse!f is gi/e u: to a!teratio( a"

t$e form *$ic$ it $a" %ecomet$ i/isi%!e+ a" t$e i"!e maers are :ermitte"( a" !eft to t$e Demo( a"

t$e seses of t$e %o"# retur ito t$eir 6outais( %eig :arts( a" agai ma"e u: ito O:eratios.

35. A" Ager( a" cocu:iscece( go ito t$e %rutis$ or ureasoa%!e ature+ a" t$e rest stri/et$

u:*ar" %# Harmo#.

32. A" to t$e first oe it gi/et$ t$e :o*er it $a" of icreasig a" "imiis$ig.

3. To t$e seco"( t$e mac$iatios or :!ottig of e/i!s( a" oe effectua! "eceit or craft.



3. To t$e t$ir"( t$e i"!e "eceit of 7ocu:iscece.

3C. To t$e fourt$( t$e "esire of Ru!e( a" usatia%!e Am%itio.

34. To t$e fift$( :rofae Bo!"ess( a" t$e $ea"!og ras$ess of cofi"ece.

33. To t$e si@t$( E/i! a" ieffectua! occasios of Ric$es.

3. To t$e se/et$ oe( su%t!e 6a!se$oo"( a!*a#s !#ig i *ait.

3L. A" t$e %eig ma"e a&e" of a!! t$e O:eratios of Harmo#( it comet$ to t$e Eig$t$ Nature( $a/ig

its :ro:er :o*er( a" siget$ :raises to t$e fat$er *it$ t$e t$igs t$at are( a" a!! t$e# t$at are :reset

re9oice( a" cogratu!ate t$e comig of it+ a" %eig ma"e !i&e to t$em *it$ *$om it co/erset$( it

$earet$ a!so t$e Po*ers t$at are a%o/e t$e Eig$t$ Nature( sigig Praise to 'o" i a certai /oice t$at is

:ecu!iar to t$em.

3. A" t$e i or"er t$e# retur uto t$e 6at$er( a" t$emse!/es "e!i/er t$emse!/es to t$e Po*ers( a" %ecomig Po*ers t$e# are i 'o".

5. T$is is t$e 'oo"( a" to t$em t$at &o*( to %e "esire".

2. 6urt$ermore( *$# sa#est t$ou( 1$at restet$( %ut t$at u"ersta"ig a!! me t$ou %ecome a gui"e( a"

*a#>!ea"er to t$em t$at are *ort$#+ t$at t$e &i" of Humait#( or Ma&i"( ma# %e sa/e" %# 'o"

. 1$e Pima"er $a" t$us sai" uto me( $e *as mig!e" amog t$e Po*ers.

. But I( gi/ig t$a&s( a" %!essig t$e fat$er of a!! t$igs( rose u:( %eig ea%!e" %# $im( a" taug$t

t$e Nature of t$e Nature of t$e *$o!e( a" $a/ig see t$e greatest sig$t or s:ectac!e.



C. A" I %ega to Preac$ uto me( t$e %eaut# a" fairess of Piet# a" Ko*!e"ge.

4. O #e :eo:!e( me( %or a" ma"e of t$e eart$( *$ic$ $a/e gi/e #ourse!/es o/er to "ru&eess a"s!ee:( a" to t$e igorace of 'o"( %e so%er a" cease #our surfeit( *$ereuto #ou are a!!ure" a" /isite"

%# %rutis$ a" ureasoa%!e s!ee:.

3. A" t$e# t$at $ear" me come *i!!ig!# a" *it$ oe accor"+ a" t$e I sai" furt$er0

. 1$#( O Me of t$e Offs:rig of Eart$( *$# $a/e #ou "e!i/ere" #ourse!/es o/er uto Deat$( $a/ig

:o*er to :arta&e of Immorta!it# Re:et a" c$age #our mi"s( #ou t$at $a/e toget$er *a!&e" i Error(

a" $a/e %ee "ar&ee" i igorace.

L. De:art from t$at "ar& !ig$t( %e :arta&ers of Immorta!it#( a" !ea/e or forsa&e corru:tio.

. A" some of t$em t$at $ear" me( moc&ig a" scorig *et a*a#( a" "e!i/ere" t$emse!/es u: to

t$e *a# of Deat$.

L5. But ot$ers castig t$emse!/es "o* %efore m# feet( %esoug$t me t$at t$e# mig$t %e taug$t+ %ut I(

causig t$em to rise u:( %ecame a gui"e of ma&i"( teac$ig t$em t$e reasos $o*( a" %# *$at meas

t$e# ma# %e sa/e". A" I so*e" i t$em t$e 1or"s of 1is"om( a" ouris$e" t$em *it$ Am%ro?ia

1ater of Immorta!it#.

L2. A" *$e it *as e/eig a" t$e %rig$tess of t$e same %ega *$o!!# to go "o*( I comma"e"

t$em to go "o*( I comma"e" t$em to gi/e t$a&s to 'o"+ a" *$e t$e# $a" fiis$e" t$eir

t$a&sgi/ig( e/er#oe reture" to $is o* !o"gig.

L. But I *rote i m#se!f t$e %out# a" %ee/o!ece of Pima"er+ a" %eig fi!!e" *it$ *$at I most

"esire"( I *as e@cee"ig!# g!a".



L. 6or t$e s!ee: of t$e %o"# *as t$e so%er *atc$fu!ess of t$e mi"+ a" t$e s$uttig of m# e#es t$e true

sig$t( a" m# si!ece great *it$ c$i!" a" fu!! of goo"+ a" t$e :rooucig of m# *or"s t$e %!ossoms

a" fruits of goo" t$igs.

LC. A" t$us it came to :ass or $a::ee" uto me( *$ic$ I recei/e" from m# mi"( t$at is Pima"er( t$e

)or" of t$e 1or"+ *$ere%# I %ecame is:ire" %# 'o" *it$ t$e Trut$.

L4. 6or *$ic$ cause( *it$ m# sou! a" *$o!e stregt$( I gi/e :raise a" %!essig uto 'o" t$e 6at$er.

L3. Ho!# is 'o"( t$e 6at$er of a!! t$igs.

L. Ho!# is 'o"( *$ose *i!! is :erforme" a" accom:!is$e" %# $is o* :o*ers.

LL. Ho!# is 'o"( t$at "etermiet$ to %e &o*( a" is &o* %# $is o*( or t$ose t$at are $is.

L. Ho!# art t$ou( t$at %# t$# 1or" $as esta%!is$e" a!! t$igs.

5. Ho!# art t$ou( of *$om a!! Nature is t$e Image.

2. Ho!# art t$ou( *$om Nature $at$ ot forme".

. Ho!# art t$ou( t$at art stroger t$a a!! :o*er.

. Ho!# art t$ou( t$at art stroger t$a a!! e@ce!!ec#.

C. Ho!# art t$ou( t$at art %etter t$a a!! :raise.

4. Acce:t t$ese reasoa%!e sacrifices from a :ure sou!( a" a $eart t$at stretc$e" out uto t$ee.



3. O us:ea&a%!e( uuttera%!e( to %e :raise" *it$ si!ece

. I %eseec$ t$ee( t$at I ma# e/er err from t$e &o*!e"ge of t$ee+ !oo& mercifu!!# u:o me( a" ea%!eme( a" e!ig$te *it$ t$is 'race t$ose t$at are i Igorace( t$e %rot$ers of m# &i"( %ut t$# Sos.

L. T$erefore I %e!ie/e t$ee( a" %ear *itess( a" go ito t$e )ife a" )ig$t.

. B!esse" art t$ou( O 6at$er+ t$# ma *ou!" %e sactifie" *it$ t$ee( as t$ou $ast gi/e $im a!! :o*er.

T$e E" of T$e Seco" Boo&( 7a!!e"( POEMANDER.



THE THIRD BOOK( THE HO)Y SERMON

THE g!or# of a!! t$igs( 'o"( a" t$at *$ic$ is Di/ie( a" t$e Di/ie Nature( t$e %egiig of t$igs

t$at are.

. 'o"( a" t$e Mi"( a" Nature( a" Matter( a" O:eratio or 1or&ig( a" Necessit#( a" Matter( a"

O:eratio or 1or&ig( a" Necessit#( a" t$e E"( a" Reo/atio.

. 6or t$ere *ere i t$e 7$aos a ifiite "ar&ess i t$e A%#ss or %ottom!ess De:t$( a" 1ater( a" a

su%t!e i S:irit ite!!igi%!e i Po*er+ a" t$ere *et out t$e Ho!# )ig$t( a" t$e E!emets *ere

coagu!ate" from t$e Sa" out of t$e moist su%stace.

C. A" a!! t$e 'o"s "istiguis$e" t$e Nature fu!! of See"s.

4. A" *$e a!! t$igs *ere itermiate" a" uma"e u:( t$e !ig$t t$igs *ere "i/i"e" o $ig$. A" t$e

$ea/# t$igs *ere fou"e" u:o t$e moist Sa"( a!! t$igs %eig Termiate" or Di/i"e" %# 6ire( a"

%eig sustaie" or $ug u: %# t$e S:irit( t$e# *ere so carrie"( a" t$e Hea/e *as see i Se/e 7irc!es.

3. A" t$e 'o"s *ere see i t$eir I"eas of t$e Stars( *it$ a!! t$eir sigs( a" t$e Stars *ere um%ere"*it$ t$e 'o"s i t$em. A" t$e S:$ere *as a!! !ie" *it$ Air( carrie" a%out i a circu!ar motio %# t$e

S:irit of 'o".

. A" e/er# 'o"( %# $is itera! :o*er( "i" t$at *$ic$ *as comma"e" $im+ a" t$ere *ere ma"e four>

foote" t$igs( a" cree:ig t$igs( a" suc$ as !i/e i t$e *ater( a" suc$ as f!#( a" e/er# fruitfu! see"(

a" 'rass( a" t$e 6!o*ers of a!! 'rees( a!! *$ic$ $a" so*e" i t$emse!/es t$e See"s of Regeeratio.

L. As a!so t$e 'eeratios of Me( to t$e Ko*!e"ge of t$e Di/ie 1or&s( a" a !i/e!# or *or&ig

Testimo# of Nature( a" a mu!titu"e of me( a" t$e "omiio of a!! t$igs u"er Hea/e( a" t$e

Ko*!e"ge of goo" t$igs( a" to %e icrease" i icreasig( a" mu!ti:!ie" i mu!titu"e.



. A" e/er# Sou! i 6!es$( %# t$e *o"erfu! *or&ig of t$e 'o"s i t$e 7irc!es( to t$e %e$o!"ig of

Hea/e( t$e 'o"s Di/ie 1or&s( a" t$e o:eratios of Nature+ a" for sigs of goo" t$igs( a" t$e

Ko*!e"ge of t$e Di/ie Po*er( a" to fi" out e/er# cuig 1or&mas$i: of goo" t$igs.

25. So it %egiet$ to !i/e i t$em( a" to %e *ise accor"ig to t$e o:eratio of t$e course of t$e circu!ar

'o"s+ a" to %e reso!/e" ito t$at *$ic$ s$a!! %e great Moumets a" Remem%eraces of t$e cuig

1or&s "oe u:o eart$( !ea/ig t$em to %e rea" %# t$e "ar&ess of times.

22. A" e/er# 'eeratio of !i/ig 6!es$( of 6ruit( See"( a" a!! Ha"icrafts( t$oug$ t$e# %e !ost( must of

ecessit# %e ree*e" %# t$e reo/atio of t$e 'o"s( a" of t$e Nature of a 7irc!e( mo/ig i um%er+ for

it is a Di/ie t$ig t$at e/er# *or!"!# tem:erature s$ou!" %e ree*e" %# Nature+ for i t$at *$ic$ is

Di/ie is Nature a!so esta%!is$e".

T$e E" of t$e 6ragmets of t$e T$ir" Boo&( THE HO)Y SERMON.



THE 6O8RTH BOOK( 7A))ED THE KEY

YESTERDAYJS S:eec$( O Asc!e:ius( I "e"icate" to t$ee+ t$is "a# it is fit to "e"icate to Tat( %ecause it is

a E:itome of t$ose geera! S:eec$es *$ic$ *ere s:o&e to $im.

. 'o" t$erefore( a" t$e 6at$er( a" t$e 'oo"( O Tat( $a/e t$e same Nature( or rat$er a!so t$e same Act

a" o:eratio.

. 6or t$ere is oe ame or a::e!!atio of Nature or Icrease( *$ic$ coceret$ t$igs c$agea%!e( a"

aot$er a%out t$igs uc$agea%!e( a" a%out t$igs umo/ea%!e( t$at is to sa#( T$igs Di/ie a"

Humae+ e/er# oe of t$at *$ic$ $imse!f *i!! $a/e so to %e+ %ut actio or o:eratio is of aot$er t$ig( or

e!se*$ere( as *e $a/e taug$t i ot$er t$igs( Di/ie a" Humae( *$ic$ must $ere a!so %e u"erstoo".

C. 6or $is O:eratio or Act is $is *i!!( a" $is Essece( to *i!! a!! t$igs to %e.

4. 6or *$at is 'o"( a" t$e 6at$er( a" t$e 'oo"( %ut t$e Beig of a!! t$igs t$at #et are ot( a" t$e

e@istece itse!f of t$ose t$igs t$at are

3. T$is is 'o"( t$is is t$e 6at$er( t$is is t$e 'oo"( *$ereuto o ot$er t$ig is :reset or a::roac$et$.

. 6or t$e 1or!"( a" t$e Su( *$ic$ is a!so a 6at$er %# Partici:atio( is ot for a!! t$at e;ua!!# t$e cause

of 'oo"( a" of )ife( to !i/ig creatures. A" if t$is %e so( $e is a!toget$er costraie" %# t$e 1i!! of t$e

'oo"( *it$out *$ic$ it is ot :ossi%!e eit$er to %e( or to %e %egotte or ma"e.

L. But t$e 6at$er is t$e cause of $is 7$i!"re( *$o $at$ a *i!! %ot$ to so* a" ouris$ t$at *$ic$ is goo"

%# t$e Su.

. 6or 'oo" is a!*a#s acti/e or %us# i ma&ig+ a" t$is caot %e i a# ot$er %ut i $im t$at ta&et$

ot$ig( a" #et *i!!et$ a!! t$igs to %e+ for I *i!! ot sa#( O Tat( ma&ig t$em+ for $e t$at ma&et$ is

"efecti/e i muc$ time( i *$ic$ sometimes $e ma&et$ ot( as a!so of ;uatit# a" ;ua!it#+ for sometimes

$e ma&et$ t$ose t$igs t$at $a/e ;uatit# a" ;ua!it#( a" sometimes t$e cotrar#.



25. But 'o" is t$e 6at$er( a" t$e 'oo"( i %eig a!! t$igs+ for $e %ot$ *i!! %e t$is a" is it( a" #et a!!

t$is for $imse!f <as is true= i $im t$at ca see it.

22. 6or a!! t$igs e!se are for t$is( it is t$e :ro:ert# of 'oo"( to %e &o*. T$is is t$e 'oo"( O Tat.

2. Tat. T$ou $ast fi!!e" us( O 6at$er( *it$ a sig$t %ot$ goo" a" fair( a" t$e e#e of m# mi" is a!most

%ecome more $o!# %# t$e sig$t or S:ectac!e.

2. Trism. I *o"er ot at it( for t$e sig$t of 'oo" is ot !i&e t$e %eam of t$e Su( *$ic$ %eig of a fier#

s$iig %rig$tess( ma&et$ t$e e#e %!i" %# $is e@cessi/e )ig$t( t$at ga?et$ u:o it+ rat$er t$e cotrar#(

for it e!ig$teet$( a" so muc$ icreaset$ t$e !ig$t of t$e e#e( as a# ma is a%!e to recei/e t$e if!uece

of t$is ite!!igi%!e c!earess.

2C. 6or it is more s*ift a" s$ar: to :ierce( a" iocet or $arm!ess *it$a!( a" fu!! of immorta!it#+ a"

t$e# are ca:a%!e( a" ca "ra* a# store of t$is s:ectac!e a" sig$t( "o ma# times fa!! as!ee: from t$e

Bo"#( ito t$is most fair a" %eauteous Visio+ *$ic$ t$ig 7e!ius a" Satur our Progeitors o%taie"

uto.

24. Tat. I *ou!" *e a!so( O 6at$er( cou!" "o so.

23. Trism. I *ou!" *e cou!"( O So+ %ut for t$e :reset *e are !ess itet to t$e Visio( a" caot #et

o:e t$e e#es of our mi" to %e$o!" t$e icorr:uti%!e a" icom:re$esi%!e Beaut# of t$at 'oo"+ %ut t$e

*e s$a!! see it( *$e *e $a/e ot$ig at a!! to sa# of it.

2. 6or t$e &o*!e"ge of it is a Di/ie Si!ece( a" t$e rest of a!! t$e seses+ for eit$er ca $e t$at

u"ersta"s t$at( u"ersta" a#t$ig e!se( or $e t$at sees t$at( see a#t$ig e!se( or $ear a# ot$ert$ig( or i sum mo/e t$e Bo"#.

2L. 6or s$iig stea"fast!# u:o a" rou" t$e *$o!e mi"( it e!ig$teet$ a!! t$e Sou!+ a" !oosig it

from t$e Bo"i!# seses a" motios( it "ra*et$ it from t$e Bo"#( a" c$aget$ it *$o!!# ito t$e Essece

of 'o".



2. 6or it is :ossi%!e for t$e Sou!( O So( to %e "eifie" *$i!e #et it !o"get$ i t$e Bo"# of Ma( if it

cotem:!ate t$e %eaut# of t$e 'oo".

5. Tat. Ho* "oes t$ou mea "eif#ig( 6at$er

2. Trism. T$ere are "iffereces( O So( of e/er# Sou!.

. Tat. But $o* "ost t$ou agai "i/i"e t$e c$ages

. Trism. Hast t$ou ot $ear" i t$e geera! S:eec$es( t$at from oe Sou! of t$e ui/erse are a!! t$ose

Sou!s *$ic$ i t$e *or!" are tosse" u: a" "o*( as it *ere( a" se/era!!# "i/i"e" Of t$ese Sou!s t$ere

are ma# c$ages( some ito a more fortuate estate( a" some ;uite t$e cotrar#+ for t$e# *$ic$ are of

cree:ig t$igs are c$age" ito t$ose of *ater# t$igs+ a" t$ose of t$igs !i/ig i t$e *ater( to t$ose of

t$igs !i/ig u:o t$e )a"+ a" Air# oes are c$age" ito me( a" $uma Sou!s( t$at !a# $o!" of

immorta!it#( are c$age" ito Demos.

C. A" so t$e# go o ito t$e S:$ere or Regio of t$e fi@e" 'o"s+ for t$ere are t*o c$oirs or com:aies

of 'o"s( oe of t$em t$at *a"er( a" aot$er of t$em t$at are fi@e"+ A" so t$is is t$e :erfect g!or# of

t$e Sou!.

4. But t$e Sou! eterig ito t$e %o"# of a Ma( if it cotiue e/i!( s$a!! eit$er taste of immorta!it#( or

is :arta&er of t$e 'oo".

3. But %eig "ra* %ac& t$e same *a#( it returet$ ito cree:ig t$igs+ A" t$is is t$e co"ematio of

a E/i! Sou!.

. A" t$e *ic&e"ess of a Sou! is igorace+ for t$e Sou! t$at &o*s ot$ig of t$e t$igs t$at are(

eit$er t$e Nature of t$em( or t$at *$ic$ is goo"( %ut is %!i"e"( rus$et$ a" "as$et$ agaist t$e %o"i!#

:assios+ a" u$a::# as it is( a" ot &o*ig itse!f( it ser/et$ strage %o"ies a" e/i! oes( carr#ig t$e

Bo"# as a %ur"e( a" ot ru!ig %ut ru!e"0 A" t$is is t$e misc$ief of t$e Sou!.



L. O t$e cotrar#( t$e /irtue of t$e sou! is Ko*!e"ge+ for $e t$at &o*s is %ot$ goo" a" re!igious( a"

a!rea"# Di/ie.

. Tat. But *$o is suc$ a oe( O 6at$er

5. Trism. He t$at eit$er s:ea&s or $ears ma# t$igs+ for $e( O So( t$at $earet$ t*o s:eec$es( or

$earigs( fig$tet$ i t$e s$a"o*.

2. 6or 'o"( a" t$e 6at$er( a" 'oo"( is eit$er s:o&e or $ear".

. T$is %eig so i a!! t$igs t$at are( are t$e Seses( %ecause t$e# caot %e *it$out t$em.

. But Ko*!e"ge "iffers muc$ from Sese+ for Sese is of t$igs t$at surmout it( %ut Ko*!e"ge is t$e

e" of Sese.

C. Ko*!e"ge is t$e gift of 'o"+ for a!! Ko*!e"ge is u%o"i!#( %ut uset$ t$e Mi" as a istrumet( as

t$e Mi" uset$ t$e Bo"#.

4. T$erefore( %ot$ ite!!igi%!e a" materia! t$igs( go %ot$ of t$em ito %o"ies+ for( of cotra:ositio(

t$at is( settig oe agaist aot$er( a" cotrariet#( a!! t$igs must cosist. A" it is im:ossi%!e it s$ou!"

%e ot$er*ise.

3. Tat. 1$o( t$erefore( is t$is Materia! 'o"

. Trism. T$e fair a" %eautifu! 1or!"( a" #et it is ot goo"+ for it is materia!( a" easi!# :assi%!e( a#( itis t$e first of a!! :assi%!e t$igs+ a" t$e seco" of t$e t$igs t$at are( a" ee"# or *atig some*$at

e!se. A" it *as oce ma"e( a" is a!*a#s( a" is e/er i geeratio( a" ma"e( a" cotiua!!# ma&es( or

geerates t$igs t$at $a/e ;uatit# a" ;ua!it#.

L. 6or it is mo/ea%!e( a" e/er# materia! motio is geeratio+ %ut t$e ite!!ectua! sta%i!it# mo/es t$e

materia! motio after t$is maer.



. Because t$e 1or!" is a S:$ere( t$at is( a $ea"( a" a%o/e t$e $ea" t$ere is ot$ig materia!( as %eeat$

t$e feet t$ere is ot$ig ite!!ectua!.

C5. T$e *$o!e 8i/erse is materia!0 T$e Mi" is t$e $ea"( a" it is mo/e" s:$erica!!#( t$at is( !i&e a $ea".

C2. 1$atsoe/er( t$erefore( is 9oie" or uite" to t$e Mem%rae or 6i!m of t$e $ea"( *$eri t$e Sou! is( is

immorta!( a" as i t$e Sou! of a ma"e Bo"#( $at$ its Sou! fu!! of t$e Bo"#+ %ut t$ose t$at are furt$er from

t$at Mem%rae( $a/e t$e Bo"# fu!! of Sou!.

C. T$e *$o!e is a !i/ig *ig$t( a" t$erefore cosistet$ of materia! a" ite!!ectua!.

C. A" t$e 1or!" is t$e first a" Ma t$e seco" !i/ig *ig$t after t$e 1or!"( %ut t$e first of t$igs t$at

are morta!+ a" t$erefore $at$ *$atsoe/er %eefit of t$e Sou! a!! t$e ot$er $a/e0 A" #et for a!! t$is( $e is

ot o!# ot goo"( %ut f!at!# e/i!( as %eig morta!.

CC. 6or t$e 1or!" is ot goo"( as it is mo/ea%!e+ or e/i!( as it is immorta!.

C4. But ma is e/i!( %ot$ as $e is mo/ea%!e( a" as $e is morta!.

C3. But t$e Sou! of Ma is carrie" i t$is maer( T$e Mi" is i Reaso( Reaso i t$e Sou!( T$e Sou! i

t$e S:irit( T$e S:irit i t$e Bo"#.

C. T$e S:irit %eig "iffuse" a" goig t$roug$ t$e /eis( a" arteries( a" %!oo"( %ot$ mo/et$ t$e !i/ig

creature( a" after a certai maer %earet$ it.

CL. 1$erefore some a!so $a/e t$oug$t t$e Sou! to %e %!oo"( %eig "ecei/e" i Nature( ot &o*ig t$at

first t$e s:irit must retur ito t$e Sou!( a" t$e t$e %!oo" is cogea!e"( a" t$e /eis a" arteries

em:tie"( a" t$e t$e !i/ig t$ig "iet$0 A" t$is is t$e "eat$ of t$e Bo"#.



C. A!! t$igs "e:e" of oe %egiig( a" t$e %egiig "e:e"s of t$at *$ic$ is oe a" a!oe.

45. A" t$e %egiig is mo/e"( t$at it ma# agai %e a %egiig+ %ut t$at *$ic$ is oe( sta"et$ a"

a%i"et$( a" is ot mo/e".

42. T$ere are t$erefore( t$ese t$ree( 'o" t$e 6at$er( a" t$e 'oo"( t$e 1or!"( a" Ma. 'o" $at$ t$e

1or!"( a" t$e 1or!" $at$ Ma+ a" t$e 1or!" is t$e So of 'o"( a" Ma as it *ere t$e offs:rig of t$e

1or!".

4. 6or 'o" is ot igorat of Ma( %ut &o*s $im :erfect!#( a" *i!! %e &o* %# $im. T$is o!# is

$ea!t$fu! to ma( t$e &o*!e"ge of 'o"0 T$is is t$e retur of O!#m:us+ %# t$is o!# t$e sou! is ma"e

goo"( a" ot sometimes goo"( a" sometimes e/i!( %ut of ecessit# 'oo".

4. Tat. 1$at meaet$ t$ou( O 6at$er

4C. Trism. 7osi"er( O So( t$e Sou! of a 7$i!"( *$e as #et it $at$ as #et recei/e" o "isso!utio of its

%o"#( *$ic$ is ot #et gro*( %ut is /er# sma!!0 $o* t$e if it !oo& u:o itse!f( it sees itse!f %eautifu!( as

ot $a/ig %ee as #et s:otte" *it$ t$e Passios of t$e Bo"#( %ut as it *ere "e:e"ig #et u:o t$e sou!

of t$e 1or!".

44. But *$e t$e Bo"# is gro*( a" "istractet$ t$e Sou!( it ege"ers forgetfu!ess( a" :arta&es o

more of t$e 6air a" t$e 'oo"( a" 6orgetfu!ess is e/i!ess.

43. T$e !i&e a!so $a::eet$ to t$em t$at go out of t$e Bo"#0 6or *$e t$e sou! rus %ac& ito itse!f( t$e

S:irit is cotracte" ito t$e %!oo"( a" t$e Sou! ito t$e S:irit. But t$e Mi" %eig ma"e :ure( a" free

from t$ese c!ot$igs+ a" %eig Di/ie %# Nature( ta&ig a fier# %o"#( raget$ a%roa" i e/er# :!ace(

!ea/ig t$e sou! to 9u"gmet( a" to t$e :uis$met it $at$ "eser/e".

4. Tat. 1$# "ost t$ou sa# so( O 6at$er( t$at t$e Mi" is se:arate" from t$e Sou!( a" t$e Sou! from t$e

S:irit 1$e e/e o* t$ou sai"st t$at t$e Sou! *as t$e c!ot$ig or a::are! of t$e Mi"( a" t$e Bo"# of

t$e Sou!.



4L. Trism. O So( $e t$at $ears must co>u"ersta"( a" cos:ire i t$oug$t *it$ $im t$at s:ea&s+ #ea( $e

must $a/e $is $earig s*ifter a" s$ar:er t$a t$e /oice of t$e s:ea&er.

4. T$e "is:ositio of t$ese c!ot$igs or 7o/ers is "oe i a Eart$!# Bo"#+ for it is im:ossi%!e t$at t$e

Mi" s$ou!" esta%!is$ or rest itse!f( a&e"( a" of itse!f i a Eart$!# Bo"#+ eit$er is t$e Eart$!# Bo"#

a%!e to %ear suc$ immorta!it#0 a" t$erefore( t$at it mig$t suffer so great /irtue( t$e Mi" com:acte"( as it

*ere( a" too& to itse!f t$e :assa%!e Bo"# of t$e Sou!( as a co/erig or c!ot$ig. A" t$e Sou! %eig a!so

i some sort Di/ie( uset$ t$e S:irit as $er Miister or Ser/at+ a" t$e S:irit go/eret$ t$e !i/ig t$igs.

35. 1$e t$erefore t$e Mi" is se:arate"( a" "e:artet$ from t$e Eart$!# Bo"#( :reset!# it :uts o its

6ier# 7oat( *$ic$ it cou!" ot "o( $a/ig to "*e!! i a Eart$!# Bo"#.

32. 6or t$e Eart$ caot suffer fire( for it is a!! %ure" of a sma!! s:ar&+ t$erefore is t$e *ater :oure"

rou" a%out t$e Eart$( as a *a!! or "efece( to *it$sta" t$e f!ame of fire.

3. But t$e Mi" %eig t$e most s$ar: or s*ift of a!! t$e Di/ie 7ogitatios( a" more s*ift t$a a!! t$e

E!emets( $at$ t$e fire for its Bo"#.

3. 6or t$e Mi"( *$ic$ is t$e 1or&ma of a!!( uset$ t$e fire as $is Istrumet i $is 1or&mas$i:+ a"

$e t$at is t$e 1or&ma of a!! uset$ it to t$e ma&ig of a!! t$igs( as it is use" %# Ma to t$e ma&ig ofEart$!# t$igs o!#( for t$e Mi" t$at is u:o Eart$( /oi" or a&e" of fire( caot "o t$e %usiess of me(

or t$at *$ic$ is ot$er*ise t$e affairs of 'o".

3C. But t$e Sou! of Ma( a" #et ot e/er#oe( %ut t$at *$ic$ is :ious a" re!igious( is Age!ic a"

Di/ie. A" suc$ a sou!( after it is "e:arte" from t$e %o"#( $a/ig stri/e t$e strife of Piet#( %ecomes

eit$er Mi" or 'o".

34. A" t$e strife of :iet# is to &o* 'o"( a" to i9ure o Ma+ a" t$is *a# it %ecomes Mi".

33. But t$e im:ious Sou! a%i"et$ i its o* offece( :uis$e" of itse!f( a" see&ig a eart$!# a"

$umae %o"# to eter ito.



3. 6or o ot$er Bo"# is ca:a%!e of a Humae Sou!( eit$er is it !a*fu! for a MaJs Sou! to fa!! ito t$e

Bo"# of a ureasoa%!e !i/ig t$ig0 6or it is t$e )a* or Decree of 'o" to :reser/e a Huma Sou! from

so great a cotume!# a" re:roac$.

3L. Tat. Ho* t$e is t$e Sou! of Ma :uis$e"( O 6at$er( a" *$at is its greatest tormet

3. Herm. Im:iet#( O m# So+ for *$at 6ire $at$ so great a f!ame as it Or *$at %itig Beast "ot$ so tear

t$e Bo"# as it "ot$ t$e Sou!

5. Or "ost t$ou ot see $o* ma# E/i!s t$e *ic&e" Sou! sufferet$( roarig a" cr#ig out( I am %ure"( I

am cosume"( I &o* ot *$at to sa# or "o( I am "e/oure"( u$a::# *retc$( of t$e e/i!s t$at com:ass

a" !a# $o!" u:o me+ misera%!e t$at I am( I eit$er $ear or see a#t$ig.

2. T$ese are t$e /oices of a :uis$e" a" tormete" Sou!( a" ot as ma#+ a" t$ou( O So( t$i&est

t$at t$e Sou! goig out of t$e Bo"# gro*s %rutis$ or eters ito a Beast+ *$ic$ is a /er# great error( for

t$e Sou! :uis$e" after t$is maer.

. 6or t$e Mi"( *$e it is or"ere" or a::oite" to get a 6ier# Bo"# for t$e ser/ices of 'o"( comig

"o* ito t$e *ic&e" sou!( tormets it *it$ t$e *$i:s of Sis( *$ere*it$ t$e *ic&e" Sou!( %eig scorge"(

turs itse!f to Mur"ers a" 7otume!ies( a" B!as:$emies( a" "i/ers /io!eces( a" ot$er t$igs %#*$ic$ me are i9ure".

. But ito a :ious sou!( t$e mi" eterig( !ea"s it ito t$e )ig$t of Ko*!e"ge.

C. A" suc$ a Sou! is e/er satisfie" *it$ sigig :raise to 'o"( a" s:ea&ig *e!! of a!! me+ a" %ot$

i *or"s a" "ee"s a!*a#s "oig goo"( i imitatio of $er 6at$er.

4. T$erefore( O So( *e must gi/e t$a&s a" :ra# t$at *e ma# o%tai a goo" mi".

3. T$e Sou! t$erefore ma# %e a!tere" or c$age" ito t$e %etter( %ut ito t$e *orse it is im:ossi%!e.



. But t$ere is a commuio of sou!s( a" t$ose of 'o"s( commuicate *it$ t$ose me( a" t$ose of

Me *it$ t$ose of Beasts.

L. A" t$e %etter a!*a#s ta&e of t$e *orse( 'o"s of Me+ Me of %rute Beasts( %ut 'o" of a!!0 6or He is

t$e %est of a!!( a" a!! t$igs are !ess t$a He.

. T$erefore is t$e 1or!" su%9ect uto 'o"( Ma uto t$e 1or!"( a" ureasoa%!e t$igs to Ma.

L5. But 'o" is a%o/e a!! a" a%out a!!+ a" t$e %eams of 'o" are o:eratios+ a" t$e %eams of t$e 1or!"

are Natures+ a" t$e %eams of Ma are Arts a" Scieces.

L2. A" o:eratios "o act %# t$e 1or!"( a" u:o Ma %# t$e atura! %eams of t$e 1or!"( %ut Natures

*or& %# t$e E!emets( a" Ma %# Arts a" Scieces.

L. A" t$is is t$e 'o/ermet of t$e *$o!e( "e:e"ig u:o t$e Nature of t$e Oe( a" :iercig or

comig "o* %# t$e oe Mi"( t$a *$ic$ ot$ig is more Di/ie a" more efficacious or o:erati/e+ a"

ot$ig more uitig( or ot$ig is more Oe. T$e 7ommuio of 'o"s to Me( a" of Me to 'o"s.

L. T$is is t$e Boas 'eius( or goo" Demo0 %!esse" sou! t$at is fu!!est of it A" u$a::# sou! t$at isem:t# of it.

LC. Tat. A" *$erefore( 6at$er

L4. Trism. Ko*( So( t$at e/er# Sou! $at$ t$e 'oo" Mi"+ for of t$at it is *e o* s:ea&( a" ot of t$at

Miister of *$om *e sai" %efore( t$at $e *as set from t$e -u"gmet.

L3. 6or t$e Sou! *it$out t$e Mi" ca eit$er sa# or "o a#t$ig+ for ma# times t$e Mi" f!ies a*a#

from t$e Sou!( a" i t$at $our t$e Sou! eit$er seet$ or $earet$( %ut is !i&e a ureasoa%!e t$ig+ so

great is t$e :o*er of t$e Mi".



L. But eit$er %roo&et$ it a i"!e or !a?# Sou!( %ut !ea/es suc$ a oe fastee" to t$e Bo"#( a" %# it is

:resse" "o*.

LL. A" suc$ a Sou!( O So( $at$ o Mi"+ *$erefore eit$er must suc$ a oe %e ca!!e" a Ma.

L. 6or Ma is a Di/ie !i/ig t$ig( a" is ot to %e com:are" to a# %rute Beast t$at !i/es u:o Eart$(

%ut to t$em t$at are a%o/e i Hea/e( t$at are ca!!e" 'o"s.

5. Rat$er( if *e s$a!! %e %o!" to s:ea& t$e trut$( $e t$at is a Ma i"ee" is a%o/e t$em( or at !east t$e#

are e;ua! i :o*er( oe to t$e ot$er. 6or oe of t$e t$igs i Hea/e *i!! come "o* u:o Eart$( a"

!ea/e t$e !imits of Hea/e( %ut a Ma asce"s u: ito Hea/e( a" measures it.

2. A" $e &o*et$ *$at t$igs are o $ig$( a" *$at %e!o*( a" !earet$ a!! ot$er t$igs e@act!#.

. A" t$at *$ic$ is t$e greatest of a!!( $e !ea/et$ ot t$e Eart$( a" #et is a%o/e0 So great is t$e

greatess of $is Nature.

. 1$erefore *e must %e %o!" to sa#( T$at a Eart$!# Ma is a morta! 'o"( a" t$at t$e Hea/e!# 'o" is

a immorta! Ma.

C. 1$erefore( %# t$ese t*o are a!! t$igs go/ere"( t$e 1or!" a" Ma+ %ut t$e# a" a!! t$igs e!se of

t$at *$ic$ is Oe.

THE END O6 THE 6O8RTH BOOK( 7a!!e" THE KEY.



THE 6I6TH BOOK( THAT 'OD IS NOT MANI6EST( AND YET MOST MANI6EST

THIS Discourse( I *i!! a!so ma&e to t$ee( O Tat( t$at t$ou ma#est ot %e igorat of t$e more e@ce!!et

ame of 'o".

. But "o t$ou cotem:!ate i t$# Mi" $o* t$at *$ic$ to ma# seems $i""e a" umaifest ma# %e

most maifest to t$ee.

. 6or it *ere ot a!!( if it *ere a::aret( for *$atsoe/er is a::aret is geerate" or ma"e+ for it *as ma"e

maifest( %ut t$at *$ic$ is ot maifest is e/er.

C. 6or it ee"et$ ot %e maifeste"( for it is a!*a#s.

4. A" $e ma&et$ a!! ot$er t$igs maifest( %eig umaifest( as %eig a!*a#s( a" ma&ig ot$er t$igs

maifest( $e is ot ma"e maifest.

3. Himse!f is ot ma"e( #et i fatasie $e fatasiet$ a!! t$igs( or i a::earace $e ma&et$ t$em a::ear+

for a::earace is o!# of t$ose t$igs t$at are geerate" or ma"e( for a::earace is ot$ig %ut

geeratio.

. But $e t$at is Oe( t$at is ot ma"e or geerate"( is a!so ua::aret a" umaifest.

L. But ma&ig a!! t$igs a::ear( $e a::earet$ i a!!( a" %# a!!+ %ut es:ecia!!# $e is maifeste" to or i

t$ose t$igs *$erei $imse!f !istet$.

. T$ou( t$erefore( O Tat( m# So( :ra# first to t$e )or" a" 6at$er( a" to t$e A!oe( a" to t$e Oe(

from *$om is oe to %e mercifu! to t$ee( t$at t$ou ma#est &o* a" u"ersta" so great a 'o"+ a" t$at

$e *ou!" s$ie oe of $is %eams u:o t$ee i t$# u"ersta"ig.

25. 6or o!# t$e 8"ersta"ig see t$at *$ic$ is ot maifest( or a::aret( as %eig itse!f ot maifest or

a::aret+ a" if t$ou cast( O Tat( it *i!! a::ear to t$e e#es of t$# Mi".



22. 6or t$e )or"( /oi" of e/#( a::earet$ t$roug$ t$e *$o!e *or!". T$ou ma#est see t$e ite!!igece( a"

ta&e it ito t$e# $a"s( a" cotem:!ate t$e image of 'o".

2. But if t$at *$ic$ is i t$ee( %e ot &o* or a::aret uto t$ee( $o* s$a!! $e i t$ee %e see( a"

a::ear uto t$ee %# t$e e#es

2. But if t$ou *i!! see $im( cosi"er a" u"ersta" t$e Su( cosi"er t$e course of t$e Moo( cosi"er

t$e or"er of t$e Stars.

2C. 1$o is $e t$at &ee:et$ or"er 6or a!! or"er is circumscri%e" or termiate" i um%er a" :!ace.

24. T$e Su is t$e greatest of t$e 'o"s i Hea/e( to *$om a!! t$e Hea/e!# 'o"s gi/e :!ace( as to a

Kig a" Potetate+ a" #et $e %eig suc$ a oe( greater t$a t$e Eart$ or t$e Sea( is cotet to suffer

ifiite !esser stars to *a!& a" mo/e a%o/e $imse!f0 *$om "ot$ $e fear t$e *$i!e( O So

23. E/er# oe of t$ese Stars t$at are i Hea/e "o ot ma&e t$e !i&e( or a e;ua! course+ *$o is it t$at

$at$ :rescri%e" uto e/er# oe t$e maer a" t$e greatess of t$eir course

2. T$is Bear t$at turs rou" a%out its o* se!f( a" carries rou" t$e *$o!e 1or!" *it$ $er( *$o

:ossesse" a" ma"e suc$ a Istrumet

2L. 1$o $at$ set t$e %ou"s to t$e Sea 1$o $at$ esta%!is$e" t$e Eart$ 6or t$ere is some%o"#( O Tat(

t$at is t$e Ma&er a" )or" of t$ese t$igs.

2. 6or it is im:ossi%!e( O So( t$at eit$er :!ace( or um%er( or measure( s$ou!" %e o%ser/e" *it$out ama&er.

5. 6or o or"er ca %e ma"e %# "isor"er or "is:ro:ortio.



2. I *ou!" it *ere :ossi%!e for t$ee( O m# So( to $a/e *igs( a" to f!# ito t$e Air( a" %eig ta&e u:

i t$e mi"st( %et*ee Hea/e a" Eart$( to see t$e sta%i!it# of t$e Eart$( t$e f!ui"ess of t$e Sea( t$e

courses of t$e Ri/ers( t$e !argeess of t$e Air( t$e s$ar:ess a" s*iftess of t$e 6ire( t$e motio of t$e

Stars( a" t$e s:ee"iess of t$e Hea/e( %# *$ic$ it goet$ rou" a%out a!! t$ese.

. O So( *$at a $a::# sig$t it *ere( at oe istat( to see a!! t$ese+ t$at *$ic$ is immo/ea%!e mo/e"(

a" t$at *$ic$ is $i""e a::ear a" %e maifest

. A" if t$ou *i!t see a" %e$o!" t$is 1or&ma( e/e %# morta! t$igs t$at are u:o eart$( a" i t$e

"ee:( cosi"er( O So( $o* Ma is ma"e a" frame" i t$e 1om%+ a" e@amie "i!iget!# t$e s&i!! a"

cuig of t$e 1or&ma( a" !ear *$o it *as t$at *roug$t a" fas$ioe" t$e %eautifu! a" Di/ie s$a:e

of Ma+ *$o circumscri%e" a" mar&e" out $is e#es *$o %ore" $is ostri!s a" ears *$o o:ee" $is

mout$ *$o stretc$e" out a" tie toget$er $is sie*s *$o c$ae!!e" t$e /eis *$o $ar"ee" a" ma"e

strog t$e %oes *$o c!ot$e" t$e f!es$ *it$ s&i *$o "i/i"e" t$e figers a" 9oits *$o f!atte" a"ma"e %roa" t$e so!es of t$e feet *$o "igge" t$e :ores *$o stretc$e" out t$e s:!ee *$o ma"e t$e

Heart !i&e a P#ramis *$o ma"e t$e )i/er %roa" *$o ma"e t$e )ig$ts s:ug#( a" fu!! of $o!es *$o

ma"e t$e %e!!# !arge a" ca:acious *$o set to out*ar" /ie* t$e more $oora%!e :arts( a" $i" t$e fi!t$#

oes

C. See $o* ma# arts i oe Matter( a" $o* ma# 1or&s i oe Su:erscri:tio( a" a!! e@cee"ig!#

%eautifu! a" a!! "oe i measure( a" #et a!! "ifferig.

4. 1$o $at$ ma"e a!! t$ese t$igs 1$at Mot$er 1$at 6at$er Sa/e o!# go" t$at is ot maifest+ t$at

ma"e a!! t$igs %# $is o* *i!!.

3. A" o ma sa#s t$at a statue or a image is ma"e *it$out a 7ar/er or a Paiter( a" *as t$is

1or&mas$i: ma"e *it$out a 1or&ma O 'reat B!i"ess O 'reat Im:iet# O 'reat Igorace

. Ne/er( O So Tat( cast t$ou "e:ri/e t$e 1or&mas$i: of t$e 1or&ma+ rat$er( it is t$e %est Name of

a!! t$e Names of 'o"( to ca!! $im t$e 6at$er of a!!( for so $e is a!oe+ a" t$is is $is *or& to %e t$e 6at$er.

L. A" if t$ou *i!! force me to sa# a#t$ig more %o!"!#( it is $is Essece to %e :regat( or great *it$

a!! t$igs( a" to ma&e t$em.



. A" as *it$out a ma&er it is im:ossi%!e t$at a#t$ig s$ou!" %e ma"e( so it is t$at $e s$ou!" ot

a!*a#s %e( a" a!*a#s %e ma&ig a!! t$igs i Hea/e( i t$e Air( i t$e Eart$( i t$e Dee:( i t$e *$o!e

1or!"( a" i e/er# :art of t$e *$o!e( t$at is or t$at is ot.

5. 6or t$ere is ot$ig i t$e *$o!e 1or!" t$at is ot $imse!f+ %ot$ t$e t$igs t$at are( a" t$e t$igs t$at

are ot.

2. 6or t$e t$igs t$at are $e $at$ ma"e maifest( a" t$e t$igs t$at are ot $e $at$ $i" i $imse!f.

. T$is is 'o" t$at is %etter t$a a# ame+ t$is is $e t$at is secret+ t$is is $e t$at is most maifest+ t$is is

$e t$at is to %e see %# t$e Mi"+ t$is is $e t$at is /isi%!e to t$e E#e+ t$is is $e t$at $at$ o %o"#+ a" t$is

is $e t$at $at$ ma# %o"ies+ rat$er( t$ere is ot$ig of a# %o"# *$ic$ is ot $e.

. 6or $e a!oe is a!! t$igs.

C. A" for t$is cause $e $at$ ma# Names( %ecause $e is t$e Oe 6at$er+ a" t$erefore $e $at$ o Name(

%ecause $e is t$e 6at$er of a!!.

4. 1$o t$erefore ca %!ess t$ee( or gi/e t$a&s for t$ee( or to t$ee

3. 1$ic$ *a# s$a!! I !oo& *$e I :raise t$ee u:*ar" "o**ar" out*ar" i*ar"

. 6or a%out t$ese t$ere is o maer or :!ace( or a#t$ig e!se of a!! t$igs t$at are.

L. But a!! t$igs are i t$ee+ a!! t$igs from t$ee+ t$ou gi/est a!! t$igs( a" ta&est ot$ig+ for t$ou $asta!! t$igs+ a" t$ere is ot$ig t$at t$ou $ast ot.

. 1$e s$a!! I :raise t$ee( O 6at$er( for it is eit$er :ossi%!e to com:re$e" t$# $our( or t$e# time



C5. 6or *$at s$a!! I :raise t$ee 6or *$at t$ou $ast ma"e( or for *$at t$ou $ast ot ma"e for t$ose

t$igs t$ou $ast maifeste"( or for t$ose t$igs t$ou $ast $i""e

C2. 1$erefore s$a!! I :raise t$ee( as %eig of m#se!f( or $a/ig a#t$ig of mie o*( or rat$er %eig

aot$ers

C. 6or t$ou art *$at I am( t$ou art *$at I "o( t$ou art *$at I sa#.

C. T$ou art a!! t$igs( a" t$ere is ot$ig e!se t$ou art ot.

CC. T$ou are t$ou( a!! t$at is ma"e( a" a!! t$at is ot ma"e.

C4. T$e Mi" t$at u"ersta"et$.

C3. T$e 6at$er t$at ma&et$ a" framet$.

C. T$e 'oo" t$at *or&et$.

CL. T$e 'oo" t$at "ot$ a!! t$igs.

C. Of t$e matter( t$e most su%t!e a" s!e"er is Air+ of t$e Air t$e Sou!+ of t$e sou! t$e Mi"+ of t$e mi"

'o".

T$e E" of t$e 6ift$ Boo&....

THAT 'OD IS NOT MANI6EST( AND YET MOST MANI6EST...



THE SIXTH BOOK( THAT IN 'OD A)ONE IS 'OOD

'OD( O Asc!e:ius( is i ot$ig %ut i 'o" a!oe( or rat$er 'o" $imse!f is t$e 'oo" a!*a#s.

. A" if it %e so( t$e must $e %e a Essece or Su%stace( /oi" of a!! Motio a" 'eeratio+ %ut

ot$ig is /oi" or em:t# of $im.

. A" t$is Essece $at$ a%out or i $imse!f a Sta%!e a" firm O:eratio( *atig ot$ig( most fu!! a"

gi/ig a%u"at!#.

C. Oe t$ig is t$e Begiig of a!! t$igs( for it gi/et$ a!! t$igs+ a" *$e I ame t$e 'oo"( I mea t$at*$ic$ is a!toget$er a" a!*a#s 'oo".

4. T$is is :reset to oe( %ut 'o" a!oe+ for $e *atet$ ot$ig t$at $e s$ou!" "esire to $a/e it( or ca

a#t$ig %e ta&e from $im+ t$e !oss *$ereof ma# grie/e $im+ for sorro* is a :art of e/i!ess.

3. Not$ig is stroger t$a $e( t$at $e s$ou!" %e o::ose" %# it+ or ot$ig e;ua! to $im( t$at $e s$ou!"

%e i !o/e *it$ it+ ot$ig u$ear" of to %e agr#( *it$ ot$ig *iser to %e e/ious at.

. A" oe of t$ese %eig i $is Essece( *$at remais %ut o!# t$e 'oo"

L. 6or as i t$is( %eig suc$ a Essece( t$ere is oe of t$e e/i!s+ so i oe of t$e ot$er t$igs s$a!! t$e

'oo" %e fou".

. 6or i a!! ot$er t$igs( are a!! t$ose ot$er t$igs( as *e!! i t$e sma!! as t$e great( a" as *e!! i t$e :articu!ars as i t$is !i/ig 7reature+ t$e greater a" mig$tiest of a!!.

25. 6or a!! t$igs t$at are ma"e or geerate"( are fu!! of :assio( 'eeratio itse!f %eig a :assio+ a"

*$ere Passio is( t$ere is ot t$e 'oo"+ *$ere t$e 'oo" is( t$ere is o Passio+ *$ere it is "a#( it is ot

Nig$t+ *$ere it is ig$t( it is ot Da#.



22. 1$erefore it is im:ossi%!e t$at i 'eeratio s$ou!" %e t$e 'oo"( %ut o!# i t$at *$ic$ is ot

geerate" or ma"e.

2. Yet as t$e Partici:atio of a!! t$igs is i t$e Matter %ou"( so a!so of t$at *$ic$ is 'oo". After t$is

maer is t$e 1or!" 'oo"( as it ma&et$ a!! t$igs( a" i t$e :art of ma&ig or "oig it is 'oo"( %ut i

a!! ot$er t$igs ot goo".

2. 6or it is :assa%!e a" mo/ea%!e( a" t$e Ma&er of :assa%!e t$igs.

2C. I Ma a!so t$e 'oo" is or"ere" <or ta&et$ "eomiatio= i com:ariso of t$at *$ic$ is e/i!+ for t$at

*$ic$ is ot /er# E/i!( is $ere 'oo"+ a" t$at *$ic$ is $ere ca!!e" 'oo"( is t$e !east :artic!e( or

:ro:ortio of E/i!.

24. It is im:ossi%!e( t$erefore( t$at t$e 'oo" s$ou!" %e $ere :ure from E/i!+ for $ere t$e 'oo" gro*et$

E/i!( a" gro*ig E/i!( it "ot$ ot sti!! a%i"e 'oo"+ a" ot a%i"ig 'oo"( it %ecomes E/i!.

23. T$erefore i 'o" a!oe is t$e 'oo"( or rat$er 'o" is t$e 'oo".

2. T$erefore( O Asc!e:ius( t$ere is ot$ig i me <or amog me= %ut t$e ame of 'oo"( t$e t$ig itse!f

is ot( for it is im:ossi%!e+ for a materia! Bo"# recei/et$ <or com:re$e"et$=( is ot as %eig o e/er# si"e

ecom:asse" a" coacte" *it$ e/i!s( a" !a%ours( a" griefs( a" "esires( a" *rat$( a" "eceits( a"

foo!is$ o:iios.

2L. A" i t$at *$ic$ is t$e *orst of a!!( Asc!e:ius( e/er# oe of t$e foreames t$igs( is $ere %e!ie/e" to

%e t$e greatest 'oo"( es:ecia!!# t$at su:reme misc$ief t$e :!easures of t$e Be!!#( a" t$e rig!ea"er of

a!! e/i!s. Error is $ere t$e a%sece of t$e 'oo".

2. A" I gi/e t$a&s uto 'o"( t$at( cocerig t$e &o*!e"ge of goo"( :ut t$is assurace i m# Mi"(

t$at it is im:ossi%!e it s$ou!" %e i t$e 1or!".



5. 6or t$e 1or!" is t$e fu!ess of E/i!ess+ %ut 'o" is t$e fu!ess of 'oo"( or goo" of 'o".

2. 6or t$e emiecies of a!! a::earig Beaut#( are i t$e Essece more :ure( a" more sicere( a" :era"/eture t$e# are a!so t$e Esseces of it.

. 6or *e must %e %o!" to sa#( Asc!e:ius( t$at t$e Essece of 'o"( if $e $a/e a Essece( is t$at

*$ic$ is fair or %eautifu!+ %ut o goo" is com:re$e"e" i t$is 1or!".

. 6or a!! t$igs t$at are su%9ect to t$e e#e( are I"o!s( a" as it *ere S$a"o*s+ %ut t$ose t$igs t$at are

ot su%9ect to t$e e#e( are e/er( es:ecia!!# t$e Essece of t$e 6air a" t$e 'oo".

C. A" as t$e E#e caot see 'o"( so eit$er t$e 6air a" t$e 'oo".

4. 6or t$ose are t$e :arts of 'o"( t$at :arta&e t$e Nature of t$e *$o!e( :ro:er( a" fami!iar uto $im

a!oe( ise:ara%!e( most !o/e!#( *$ereof eit$er 'o" is eamoure"( or t$e# are eamoure" of 'o".

3. If t$ou cast u"ersta" 'o"( t$ou s$a!! u"ersta" t$e 6air( a" t$e 'oo"( *$ic$ is most s$iig( a"e!ig$teig( a" most e!ig$tee" %# 'o".

. 6or t$at Beaut# is a%o/e 7om:ariso( a" t$at 'oo" is iimita%!e( as 'o" $imse!f.

L. As( t$erefore( t$ou u"ersta"est 'o"( so u"ersta" t$e 6air a" t$e 'oo"+ for t$ese are

icommuica%!e to a# ot$er !i/ig creatures( %ecause t$e# are ise:ara%!e from 'o".

. If t$ou see& cocerig 'o"( t$ou see&est or as&et$ a!so of t$e 6air( for t$ere is oe *a# *$ic$

!ea"et$ to t$e same t$ig( t$at is Piet#( *it$ Ko*!e"ge.

5. 1$erefore( t$e# t$at are igorat( a" go ot i t$e *a# of Piet#( "are ca!! Me 6air a" 'oo"( e/er

seeig so muc$ as i a "ream( *$at goo" is+ %ut %eig ifo!"e" a" *ra::e" u:o a!! e/i!( a" %e!ie/ig



t$at t$e E/i! is t$e 'oo"( t$e#( %# t$at meas( %ot$ use it isatia%!e( a" are afrai" to %e "e:ri/e" of it+

a" t$erefore t$e# stri/e( %# a!! :ossi%!e meas( t$at t$e# ma# ot o!# $a/e it( %ut a!so icrease it.

2. Suc$( O Asc!e:ius( are t$e goo" a" fair t$igs of Me( *$ic$ *e ca eit$er !o/e or $ate+ for t$is is

t$e $ar"est t$ig of a!!( t$at *e $a/e ee" of t$em( a" caot !i/e *it$out t$em.

T$e E" of t$e Si@t$ Boo&....

THAT IN 'OD A)ONE IS 'OOD....



THE SEVENTH BOOK( HIS SE7RET SERMON IN THE MO8NT O6 RE'ENERATION( AND THE

PRO6ESSION O6 SI)EN7E

TO HIS SON TAT.

Tat.

IN t$e geera! s:eec$es( O 6at$er( "iscoursig of t$e Di/iit#( t$ou s:ea&est eigmatica!!#( a" "i"st ot

c!ear!# re/ea! t$#se!f( sa#ig( T$at o ma ca %e sa/e" %efore Regeeratio.

. A" *$e I "i" $um%!# etreat t$ee( at t$e goig u: to t$e Moutai( after t$ou $a"st "iscourse" to me(

$a/ig a great "esire to !ear t$is Argumet of Regeeratio+ %ecause amog a!! t$e rest( I am igorat

o!# of t$is( t$ou to!"st me t$ou *ou!"st im:art it to me( *$e I *ou!" estrage m#se!f from t$e *or!"+

*$ereu:o I ma"e m#se!f rea"#( a" $a/e /i"icate" t$e u"ersta"ig t$at is i me( from t$e "eceit of

t$e 1or!".

. No*( t$e fu!fi! m# "efect( a" as t$ou sai"st( istruct me of Regeeratio( eit$er %# *or" of mout$ or

secret!#+ for I &o* ot( O Trismegistus( of *$at Su%stace( or *$at See"( or *$at 1om%( a ma is t$us

%or.

C. Herm. O So( t$is *is"om is to %e u"erstoo" i si!ece( a" t$e see" is t$e true 'oo".

4. Tat. 1$o so*et$ it( O 6at$er for I am utter!# igorat a" "ou%tfu!.

3. Herm. T$e 1i!! of 'o"( O So.

. A" *$at maer of Ma is $e t$at is t$us %or for i t$is :oit( I am c!ea "e:ri/e" of t$e Essecet$at u"ersta"et$ i me.

L. Herm. T$e So of 'o" *i!! %e aot$er. 'o" ma"e t$e ui/erse( t$at i e/er#t$ig cosistet$ of a!!

:o*ers.



. Tat. T$ou te!!est me a Ri""!e( 6at$er( a" "ost ot s:ea& as a 6at$er to a So.

25. Herm. So( t$igs of t$is &i" are ot taug$t( %ut are %# 'o"( *$e $e :!easet$( %roug$t to

remem%race.

22. Tat. T$ou s:ea&est of t$igs straie"( or far fetc$e"( a" im:ossi%!e( 6at$er+ a" t$erefore I *i!!

"irect!# cotra"ict t$em.

2. Herm. 1i!t t$ou :ro/e a Strager( So( to t$# 6at$erJs &i"

2. Tat. Do ot e/# me( 6at$er( or :ar"o me( I am t$# Natura! So+ "iscourse uto me t$e maer ofRegeeratio.

2C. Herm. 1$at s$a!! I sa#( O m# So I $a/e ot$ig to sa# more t$a t$is( T$at I see i m#se!f a

ustraie" sig$t or s:ectac!e( ma"e %# t$e merc# of 'o"+ a" I am goe out of m#se!f ito a immorta!

%o"#( a" am ot o*( *$at I *as %efore( %ut *as %egotte i Mi".

24. T$is t$ig is ot taug$t( or is it to %e see i t$is forme" e!emet+ for *$ic$ t$e first com:ou"e"

form *as eg!ecte" %# me( a" t$at I am o* se:arate" from it+ for I $a/e %ot$ t$e touc$ a" t$e measureof it( #et am I o* estrage" from t$em.

23. T$ou seest( O So( *it$ t$ie e#es+ %ut t$oug$ t$ou e/er !oo& so stea"fast!# u:o me( *it$ t$e Bo"#(

a" t$e Bo"i!# sig$t( t$ou cast ot see or u"ersta" *$at I am o*.

2. Tat. T$ou $ast "ri/e me( O 6at$er( ito o sma!! fur# a" "istractio of mi"( for I "o ot o* see

m#se!f.

2L. Herm. I *ou!"( O So( t$at t$ou a!so *ert goe out of t$#se!f( !i&e t$em t$at Dream i t$eir s!ee:.

2. Tat. T$e te!! me t$is( *$o is t$e Aut$or a" Ma&er of Regeeratio



5. Herm. T$e 7$i!" of 'o"( oe Ma %# t$e 1i!! of 'o".

2. Tat. No*( O 6at$er( t$ou $ast :ut me to si!ece for e/er( a" a!! m# former t$oug$ts $a/e ;uite !efta" forsa&e me+ for I see t$e greatess a" s$a:e of t$igs $ere %e!o*( a" ot$ig %ut fa!se$oo" i

t$em a!!.

. A" so t$ece t$is morta! form is "ai!# c$age"( a" ture" %# time ito icrease or "imiutio( as

%eig fa!se$oo"0 1$at t$erefore is true( O Trismegistus

. Trism. T$at( O m# So( *$ic$ is ot trou%!e"( or %ou"e"+ ot co!oure"( ot figure"( ot c$age"(

t$at *$ic$ is a&e"( $ig$. 7om:re$esi%!e o!# of itse!f( ua!tera%!e( u%o"i!#.

C. Tat. No* I am ma" i"ee"( O 6at$er( for *$e I t$oug$t me to $a/e %ee ma"e a *ise ma %# t$ee(

*it$ t$ese t$oug$ts( t$ou $ast ;uite "u!!e" a!! m# seses.

4. Herm. Yet is it so as I sa#( O So( He t$at !oo&et$ o!# u:o t$at *$ic$ is carrie" u:*ar" as 6ire( t$at

*$ic$ is carrie" "o**ar" as Eart$( t$at *$ic$ is moist as 1ater( a" t$at *$ic$ %!o*et$( or is su%9ect to

%!ast( as Air+ $o* ca $e sesi%!# u"ersta" t$at *$ic$ is eit$er $ar" or moist( or tagi%!e( or

:ers:icuous( seeig it is o!# u"erstoo" i :o*er a" o:eratio But I %eseec$ a" :ra# to t$e Mi"(

*$ic$ a!oe ca u"ersta" t$e 'eeratio *$ic$ is i 'o".

3. Tat. T$e am I( O 6at$er( utter!# ua%!e to "o it.

. Herm. 'o" for%i"( So( rat$er "ra* or :u!! $im uto t$ee <or stu"# to &o* $im= a" $e *i!! come( %e

%ut *i!!ig a" it s$a!! %e "oe+ ;uite <or ma&e i"!e= t$e seses of t$e Bo"#( :urgig t$#se!f from t$e

ureasoa%!e %rutis$ tormets of matter.

L. Tat. Ha/e I a# <re/egers or= tormetors i m#se!f( 6at$er

. Herm. Yea( a" t$ose ot a fe*( %ut ma#( a" fearfu! oes.



5. Tat. I "o ot &o* t$em( 6at$er.

2. Herm. Oe Tormet( So( is Igorace0 a seco"( Sorro*+ a t$ir"( Item:erace+ a fourt$(7ocu:iscece+ a fift$( I9ustice+ a si@t$( 7o/etousess+ a se/et$( Deceit+ a eig$t$( E/#+ a it$( 6rau"

or 'ui!e+ a tet$( 1rat$+ a e!e/et$( Ras$ess+ a t*e!ft$( Ma!iciousess.

. T$e# are i um%er t*e!/e( a" u"er t$ese ma# more+ some *$ic$ t$roug$ t$e :riso of t$e Bo"#

"o force t$e i*ar"!# :!ace" ma to suffer sesi%!#.

. A" t$e# "o ot su""e!# or easi!# "e:art from $im t$at $at$ o%taie" merc# of 'o"+ a" $erei

cosists %ot$ t$e maer a" t$e reaso of Regeeratio.

C. 6or t$e rest( O So( $o!" t$# :eace( a" :raise 'o" i si!ece( a" %# t$at meas t$e merc# of 'o"

*i!! ot cease( or %e *atig uto us.

4. T$erefore( re9oice( m# So( from $ecefor*ar"( %eig :urge" %# t$e :o*ers of 'o"( to t$e

Ko*!e"ge of t$e Trut$.

3. 6or t$e re/e!atio of 'o" is come to us( a" *$e t$at came( a!! igorace *as cast out.

. T$e Ko*!e"ge of -o# is come uto us. A" *$e t$at comes( Sorro* s$a!! f!# a*a# to t$em t$at are

ca:a%!e.

L. I ca!! uto -o# t$e :o*er of Tem:erace( a :o*er *$ose Virtue is most s*eet+ !et us ta&e $er uto

ourse!/es( O so( most *i!!ig!#( for $o* at $er comig $at$ s$e :ut a*a# Item:erace

. No* I ca!! fort$( 7otiece( t$e :o*er *$ic$ is o/er 7ocu:iscece. T$is( O So( is t$e sta%!e a"

firm fou"atio of -ustice.



C5. 6or see $o* *it$out !a%our s$e $at$ c$ase" a*a# I9ustice+ a" *e are 9ustifie"( O So( *$e

I9ustice is a*a#.

C2. T$e si@t$ Virtue( *$ic$ comes ito us( I ca!! 7ommuio( *$ic$ is agaist 7o/etousess.

C. A" *$e t$at <7o/etousess= is goe( I ca!! Trut$( a" *$e s$e comet$( Error a" Deceit /ais$et$.

C. See( O So( $o* t$e 'oo" is fu!fi!!e" %# t$e access of Trut$+ for %# t$is meas E/# is goe from us+

for Trut$ is accom:aie" *it$ t$e 'oo"( toget$er a!so *it$ )ife a" )ig$t.

CC. A" t$ere came o more a# tormet of Dar&ess( %ut %eig o/ercome( t$e# a!! f!e" a*a# su""e!#a" tumu!tuous!#.

C4. T$ou $ast u"erstoo"( O So( t$e maer of regeeratio+ for u:o t$e comig of t$ese Te( t$e

Ite!!ectua! 'eeratio is :erfecte"( a" t$e it "ri/et$ a*a# t$e T*e!/e+ a" *e $a/e see it i t$e

'eeratio itse!f.

C3. 1$oseoe/er t$erefore $at$ of Merc# o%taie" t$is 'eeratio( *$ic$ is accor"ig to 'o"( $e !ea/ig

a!! %o"i!# sese( &o*et$ $imse!f to cosist of "i/ie t$igs( a" re9oicet$( %eig ma"e %# go" Sta%!e a"immuta%!e.

C. Tat. O 6at$er( I cocei/e a" u"ersta"( ot %# t$e sig$t of mie e#es( %ut %# t$e Ite!!ectua!

o:eratio( *$ic$ is %# t$e Po*ers. I am i Hea/e( i t$e Eart$( i t$e 1ater( i t$e Air+ I am i )i/ig

7reatures( i P!ats( i t$e 1om%( e/er#*$ere.

CL. Yet te!! me( furt$er( t$is oe t$ig( Ho* are t$e Tormets of Dar&ess( %eig i um%er T*e!/e(

"ri/e a*a# a" e@:e!!e" %# t$e Te Po*ers 1$at is t$e maer of it( Trismegistus

C. T$is Ta%erac!e( O So( cosists of t$e o"iaca! 7irc!e+ a" t$is cosistig of T*e!/e um%ers( t$e

I"ea of oe+ %ut a!! forme" Nature a"mit "i/ers 7o9ugatios to t$e "ecei/ig of Ma.



45. A" t$oug$ t$e# %e "ifferet i t$emse!/es( #et are t$e# uite" i :ractice <as( for e@am:!e( Ras$ess

is ise:ara%!e from Ager=( a" t$e# are a!so i"etermiate. T$erefore( *it$ goo" reaso "o t$e# ma&e

t$eir "e:arture( %eig "ri/e a*a# %# t$e Te Po*ers+ t$at is to sa#( %# t$e "ea".

42. 6or t$e um%er of Te( O So( is t$e %egetter of Sou!s. A" t$ere )ife a" )ig$t are uite"( *$ere t$e

um%er of 8it# is %or of t$e s:irit.

4. T$erefore( accor"ig to Reaso( 8it# $at$ t$e um%er of Te( a" t$e um%er of Te $at$ 8it#.

4. Tat. O 6at$er( I o* see t$e 8i/erse a" m#se!f i t$e Mi".

4C. Herm. T$is is Regeeratio( O So( t$at *e s$ou!" ot a# !oger fi@ our imagiatio u:o t$is Bo"#(

su%9ect to t$e t$ree "imesios( accor"ig to t$is( accor"ig to t$is s:eec$ *$ic$ *e $a/e o*

commete"( t$at *e ma# ot at a!! ca!umiate t$e 8i/erse.

44. Tat. Te!! me( O 6at$er( T$is %o"# t$at cosists of Po*ers( s$a!! it e/er a"mit of Disso!utio

43. Herm. 'oo" *or"s( So( a" s:ea& ot t$igs im:ossi%!e+ for so t$ou s$a!t si( a" t$e e#e of t$#

mi" gro* *ic&e".

4. T$e sesi%!e %o"# of Nature is far from t$e Essetia! 'eeratio( for t$at is su%9ect to "isso!utio( %ut

t$is is ot+ a" t$at is morta!( %ut t$is immorta!. Dost t$ou ot &o* t$at t$ou art %or a 'o"( a" t$e So

of t$e Oe( as I am

4L. Tat. Ho* feig *ou!" I( O 6at$er( $ear t$at :raise gi/e %# a H#m( *$ic$ t$ou sai"st t$ou $ear"est

from t$e Po*ers( *$e I *as i t$e Octoar#

4. Herm. As Pima"er sai"( %# *a# of Orac!e to t$e Octoar#0 T$ou "ost *e!!( O So( to "esire t$e

So!utio of t$e Ta%erac!e( for t$ou art :urifie".



35. Pima"er( t$e Mi" of A%so!ute Po*er a" Aut$orit#( $at$ "e!i/ere" o more uto me( t$a t$ose t$at

are *ritte+ &o*ig t$at of m#se!f( I ca u"ersta" a!! t$igs( a" $ear( a" see *$at I *i!!. A" $e

comma"e" me to "o t$ose t$igs t$at are goo"+ a" t$erefore a!! t$e :o*ers t$at are i me sig.

32. Tat. I *ou!" $ear t$ee( O 6at$er( a" u"ersta" t$ese t$igs.

3. Herm. Be ;uiet( O So( a" o* $ear&e to t$at $armoious %!essig a" t$a&sgi/ig+ t$e $#m of

Regeeratio( *$ic$ I "i" ot "etermie to $a/e s:o&e of so :!ai!#( %ut to t$#se!f i t$e e" of a!!.

3. 1$erefore( t$is is ot taug$t( %ut $i" i si!ece.

3C. So t$e( O so( "o t$ou( sta"ig i t$e o:e Air( *ors$i:( !oo&ig to t$e Nort$ 1i"( a%out t$e goig

"o* of t$e Su+ a" to t$e Sout$( *$e t$e Su ariset$. A" o* &ee: si!ece( So.

THE SE7RET SON'.

T$e Ho!# S:eec$.

34. )et a!! t$e Nature of t$e 1or!" etertai t$e $earig of t$is H#m.

33. Be o:ee"( O Eart$( a" !et a!! t$e Treasure of t$e Rai %e o:ee".

3. You Trees( trem%!e ot( for I *i!! sig a" :raise t$e )or" of t$e 7reatio( a" t$e A!!( a" t$e Oe.

3L. Be o:ee"( #ou Hea/es+ #e 1i"s( sta" sti!!( a" !et t$e immorta! 7irc!e of 'o" recei/e t$ese

*or"s.

3. 6or I *i!! sig a" :raise $im t$at create" a!! t$igs( t$at fi@e" t$e eart$( a" $ug u: t$e Hea/es(

a" comma"e" t$e s*eet *ater to come out of t$e Ocea( ito a!! t$e 1or!"( i$a%ite" a" ot i$a%ite"(

to t$e use a" ouris$met of a!! t$igs or me.



5. T$at comma"e" t$e fire to s$ie for e/er# actio( %ot$ to 'o"s a" Me.

2. )et us a!toget$er gi/e $im %!essig( *$ic$ ri"et$ u:o t$e Hea/es( t$e 7reator of a!! Nature.

. T$is is $e t$at is t$e E#e of t$e Mi"( a" *i!! acce:t t$e :raise of m# Po*ers.

. O a!! #e Po*ers t$at are i me( :raise t$e Oe( a" A!!.

C. Sig toget$er *it$ m# 1i!!( a!! #ou Po*ers t$at are i me.

4. O Ho!# &o*!e"ge( %eig e!ig$tee" %# t$ee( I magif# t$e ite!!igi%!e )ig$t( a" re9oice i t$e 9o#

of t$e Mi".

3. A!! m# Po*ers sig :raise *it$ me( a" o*( m# 7otiece( sig( :raise m# Rig$teousess %# me+

:raise t$at *$ic$ is rig$teous.

. O 7ommuio *$ic$ is i me+ :raise t$e A!!.

L. B# me t$e Trut$ sigs :raise to t$e Trut$( t$e 'oo" :raiset$ t$e 'oo".

. O )ife( O )ig$t( from us( uto #ou( comes t$is :raise a" t$a&sgi/ig.

L5. I gi/e t$a&s uto t$ee( O 6at$er( t$e o:eratio or act of m# Po*ers.

L2. I gi/e t$a&s uto t$ee( O 'o"( t$e Po*er of m# o:eratios.



L. B# me t$e 1or" sigs :raise uto t$ee+ recei/e %# me t$is reasoa%!e <or /er%a!= Sacrifice i *or"s.

L. T$e :o*ers t$at are i me cr# t$ese t$igs( t$e# :raise t$e A!!( t$e# fu!fi! t$# 1i!!+ t$# 1i!! a"

couse! is form t$ee uto t$ee.

LC. O A!!( recei/e a reasoa%!e sacrifice from a!! t$igs.

L4. O )ife( sa/e a!! t$at is i us+ O )ig$t( e!ig$te( O 'o"( t$e S:irit+ for t$e Mi" gui"et$ <or fee"et$=

t$e 1or"+ O S:irit>%earig 1or&ma.

L3. T$ou are 'o"( t$# Ma cr#et$ t$ese t$igs uto t$ee t$roug$( %# t$e 6ire( %# t$e Air( %# t$e Eart$( %#t$e 1ater( %# t$e S:irit( %# t$# 7reatures.

L. 6rom eterit# I $a/e fou" <meas to= %!ess a" :raise t$ee( a" I $a/e *$at I see&+ for I rest i t$#

1i!!.

LL. Tat. O 6at$er( I see t$ou $ast sug t$is sog of :raise a" %!essig( *it$ t$# *$o!e 1i!!+ a" t$erefore

$a/e I :ut a" :!ace" it i m# 1or!".

L. Herm. Sa# i t$# Ite!!igi%!e 1or!"( O So.

5. Tat. I "o mea i m# Ite!!igi%!e *or!"+ for %# t$# H#m a" sog of :raise m# mi" is e!ig$tee"(

a" g!a"!# *ou!" I se" from m# 8"ersta"ig( a T$a&sgi/ig uto 'o".

2. Herm. Not ras$!#( O So.

. Tat. I m# Mi"( O 6at$er.



. Herm. T$ose t$igs t$at I see a" cotem:!ate( I ifuse t$em ito t$ee( a" t$erefore sa#( t$ou So(

Tat( t$e aut$or of t$# succee"ig 'eeratios( I se" uto go" t$ese reasoa%!e sacrifices.

C. O 'o"( t$ou art t$e 6at$er( t$ou art t$e )or"( t$ou art t$e Mi"( acce:t t$ese reasoa%!e sacrifices

*$ic$ t$ou re;uirest of me.

4. 6or a!! t$igs are "oe as t$e Mi" *i!!et$.

3. T$ou( O So( se" t$is acce:ta%!e Sacrifice to go"( t$e 6at$er of a!! t$igs+ %ut :ro:ou" it a!so( O

So( %# *or".

. Tat. I t$a& t$ee( 6at$er( t$ou $ast a"/ise" a" istructe" me t$us to gi/e t$a&s a" :raise.

L. Herm. I am g!a"( O So( to see t$e Trut$ %rig fort$ t$e 6ruits of 'oo" t$igs( a" suc$ immorta!

Brac$es.

. A" !ear t$is from me0 A%o/e a!! ot$er Virtues etertai Si!ece( a" im:art uto o ma( O So( t$e

tra"itio of Regeeratio( !est *e %e re:ute" 7a!umiators+ for *e %ot$ $a/e o* sufficiet!# me"itate"( I

i s:ea&ig( t$ou i $earig. A" o* t$ou "ost ite!!ectua!!# &o* t$#se!f a" our 6at$er.

T$e E" of t$e Se/et$ Boo&.HIS SE7RET SERMON IN THE MO8NT O6 RE'ENERATION(

AND THE PRO6ESSION O6 SI)EN7E.



THE EI'HTH BOOK( THE 'REATEST EVI) IN MAN IS THE NOT KNO1IN' 'OD

1HITHER are #ou carrie"( O Me( "ru&e *it$ "ri&ig strog 1ie of Igorace *$ic$ seeig #ou

caot %ear( *$# "o #ou /omit it u: agai

. Sta"( a" %e so%er( a" !oo& u: agai *it$ t$e E#es of #our $eart( a" if #ou caot a!! "o so( #et "o

so ma# as #ou ca.

. 6or t$e ma!ice of Igorace surrou"et$ a!! t$e Eart$( a" corru:tet$ t$e Sou!( s$ut u: i t$e Bo"#( ot

sufferig it to arri/e at t$e Ha/es of Sa!/atio.

C. Suffer ot #ourse!/es to %e carrie" *it$ t$e 'reat Stream( %ut stem t$e ti"e #ou t$at ca !a# $o!" of t$e

Ha/e of Safet#( a" ma&e #our fu!! course to*ar"s it.

4. See& o t$at ma# !ea" #ou %# t$e $a"( a" co"uct #ou to t$e "oor of Trut$ a" Ko*!e"ge( *$ere

t$e c!ear )ig$t is t$at is :ure from Dar&ess( *$ere t$ere is ot oe "ru&e( %ut a!! are so%er( a" i t$eir

$eart !oo& u: to $im( *$ose :!easure it is to %e see.

3. 6or $e caot %e $ear" *it$ ears( or see *it$ e#es( or e@:resse" i *or"s+ %ut o!# i mi" a"$eart.

. But first t$ou must tear to :ieces( a" %rea& t$roug$ t$e garmet t$ou *earest( t$e *e% of Igorace+

t$e fou"atio of a!! Misc$ief+ t$e %o" of 7orru:tio+ t$e "ar& 7o/erture+ t$e !i/ig Deat$+ t$e sesi%!e

7arcass+ t$e Se:u!c$re( carrie" a%out *it$ us+ t$e "omestica! T$ief( *$ic$ i *$at $e !o/es us( $ates us(

e/ies us.

L. Suc$ is t$e $urtfu! A::are!( *$ere*it$ t$ou art c!ot$e"( *$ic$ "ra*s a" :u!!s t$ee "o**ar" %# its

o* se!f( !est !oo&ig u:*ar" a" seeig t$e %eaut# of Trut$( a" t$e 'oo" t$at is re:ose" t$erei( t$ou

s$ou!"st $ate t$e *ic&e"ess of t$is 'armet a" u"ersta" t$e tra:s a" am%us$es *$ic$ it $a" !ai" for

t$ee.



. T$erefore "ot$ it !a%our to ma&e goo" t$ose t$igs t$at seem( a" are %# t$e seses( 9u"ge" a"

"etermie"+ a" t$e t$igs t$at are tru!#( it $i"es( a" e/e!o:et$ i muc$ matter( fi!!ig *$at it :resets

uto t$ee( *it$ $atefu! :!easure( t$at t$ou cast eit$er $ear *$at t$ou s$ou!"st $ear( or see *$at t$ou

s$ou!"st see.

T$e E" of t$e Eig$t$ Boo&(

THE 'REATEST EVI) IN MAN IS

THE NOT KNO1IN' 'OD.



THE NINTH BOOK( A 8NIVERSA) SERMON TO AS7)EPI8S

Herm.

A)) t$at is mo/e"( O Asc!e:ius( is it ot mo/e" i somet$ig a" %# somet$ig

. Asc!e:. Yes( i"ee".

. Herm. Must ot t$at i *$ic$ a t$ig is mo/e"( of ecessit# %e greater t$a t$e t$ig t$at is mo/e"

C. Of ecessit#.

4. A" t$at *$ic$ mo/et$( is it ot stroger t$a t$at *$ic$ is mo/e"

3. Asc!e:. It is stroger.

. Herm. T$at i *$ic$ a t$ig is mo/e"( must it ot ee"s $a/e a Nature cotrar# to t$at of t$e t$ig t$at

is mo/e"

L. Asc!e:. It must ee"s.

. Herm. Is ot t$is great 1or!" a Bo"#( t$a *$ic$ t$ere is o greater

25. Asc!e:. Yes( cofesse"!#.

22. Herm. A" is it ot so!i"( as fi!!e" *it$ ma# great %o"ies( a" i"ee" *it$ a!! t$e Bo"ies t$at are

2. Asc!e:. It is so.



2. Herm. A" is ot t$e 1or!" a Bo"#( a" a Bo"# t$at is mo/e"

2C. Asc!e:. It is.

24. Herm. T$e *$at a &i" of :!ace must it %e( *$erei it is mo/e"( a" of *$at Nature Must it ot %e

muc$ %igger( t$at it ma# recei/e t$e cotiuit# of Motio A" !est *$ic$ is mo/e"( s$ou!" for *at of

room( %e sta#e"( a" $i"ere" i t$e Motio

23. Asc!e:. It must ee"s %e a immese t$ig( Trismegistus( %ut of *$at Nature

2. Herm. Of a cotrar# Nature( O Asc!e:ius. But is ot t$e Nature of t$igs u%o"i!#( cotrar# to a

Bo"#

2L. Asc!e:. 7ofesse"!#.

2. Herm. T$erefore t$e :!ace is u%o"i!#+ %ut t$at *$ic$ is u%o"i!# is eit$er some Di/ie t$ig( or 'o"

$imse!f. A" %# somet$ig Di/ie( I "o ot mea t$at *$ic$ *as ma"e or %egotte.

5. If t$erefore it %e Di/ie( it is a Essece or Su%stace+ %ut if it %e 'o"( it is a%o/e Essece+ %ut $e is

ot$er*ise ite!!igi%!e.

2. 6or t$e first( 'o" is ite!!igi%!e( ot to $imse!f( %ut to us+ for t$at *$ic$ is ite!!igi%!e is su%9ect to t$at

*$ic$ u"ersta"et$ %# Sese.

. T$erefore( 'o" is ot ite!!igi%!e to $imse!f+ for ot %eig a# ot$er t$ig from t$at *$ic$ is

u"erstoo"( $e caot %e u"erstoo" %# $imse!f.

. But $e is aot$er t$ig from us( a" t$erefore $e is u"erstoo" %# us.



C. If t$erefore P!ace %e ite!!igi%!e( it is ot P!ace %ut 'o"+ %ut if 'o" %e ite!!igi%!e( $e is ite!!igi%!e ot

as P!ace( %ut as a ca:a%!e O:eratio.

4. No*( e/er#t$ig t$at is mo/e"( is mo/e" ot i or %# t$at *$ic$ is mo/e"( %ut i t$at *$ic$ sta"et$

or restet$( a" t$at *$ic$ mo/et$ sta"et$ or restet$+ for it is im:ossi%!e it s$ou!" %e mo/e" *it$ it.

3. Asc!e:. Ho*( t$e( O Trismegistus( are t$ose t$igs t$at are $ere mo/e" *it$ t$e t$igs t$at are

mo/e" for t$ou sa#est t$at t$e S:$eres t$at *a"er( are mo/e" %# t$e s:$ere t$at *a"ers ot.

. Herm. T$at( O Asc!e:ius( is ot a mo/ig toget$er( %ut a couter motio+ for t$e# are ot mo/e" after

a !i&e maer( %ut cotrar# oe to t$e ot$er+ a" cotrariet# $at$ a sta"ig resistace of motio( for t$e

( or resistace( is a sta#ig of Motio.

L. T$erefore( t$e *a"erig s:$eres %eig mo/e" cotrari!# to t$at S:$ere *$ic$ *a"eret$ ot( s$a!!

$a/e oe from aot$er cotrari!# sta"ig of itse!f.

. 6or t$is Bear t$ou seest eit$er rise or go "o*( %ut turig a!*a#s a%out t$e same+ "ost t$ou t$i& itmo/et$ or sta"et$ sti!!

5. Asc!e:. I t$i& it mo/es( Trismegistus.

2. 1$at motio( O Asc!e:ius

. Asc!e:. A motio t$at is a!*a#s carrie" a%out t$e same.

. But t$e 7ircu!atio *$ic$ is a%out t$e same( a" t$e motio %out t$e same( are %ot$ $i""e %#

Statio+ for t$at *$ic$ is a%out t$e same( for%i"s t$at *$ic$ is a%o/e t$e same( if it sta" to t$at *$ic$ is

a%out t$e same.



C. A" so t$e cotrar# motio sta"s fast a!*a#s( %eig a!*a#s esta%!is$e" %# t$e cotrariet#.

4. But I *i!! gi/e t$ee cocerig t$is matter( a Eart$!# E@am:!e( t$at ma# %e see *it$ e#es.

3. )oo& u:o a# of t$ese !i/ig 7reatures u:o Eart$( as Ma( for e@am:!e( a" see $im s*immig+ for

as t$e 1ater is carrie" oe *a#( t$e re!uctatio or resistace of $is feet a" $a"s is ma"e a statio to t$e

Ma( t$at $e s$ou!" ot %e carrie" *it$ t$e 1ater( or si& u"ereat$ it.

. Asc!e:. T$ou $ast !ai" "o* a /er# c!ear e@am:!e( Trismegistus.

L. Herm. T$erefore( e/er# motio is i statio( a" is mo/e" of statio.

. T$e motio( t$e( of t$e 1or!"( a" of e/er# materia! !i/ig t$ig( $a::eet$ ot to %e "oe %# t$ose

t$igs t$at are *it$out t$e 1or!"( %ut %# t$ose t$igs *it$i it( a Sou!( or S:irit( or some ot$er u%o"i!#

t$ig( to t$ose t$igs t$at are *it$out it.

C5. 6or a iaimate Bo"# "ot$ ot &o*( muc$ !ess a Bo"# if it %e *$o!!# iaimate.

C2. Asc!e:. 1$at meaet$ t$ou %# t$is( O Trismegistus( *oo" a" stoes( a" a!! ot$er iaimate t$igs(

are t$e# ot mo/ig Bo"ies

C. Herm. B# o meas( O Asc!e:ius( for t$at *it$i t$e Bo"#( *$ic$ mo/es t$e iaimate t$ig( is ot

t$e Bo"#( t$at mo/es %ot$ as *e!! t$e Bo"# of t$at *$ic$ %earet$( as t$e Bo"# of t$at *$ic$ is %or+ for

oe "ea" or iaimate t$ig caot mo/e aot$er+ t$at *$ic$ mo/et$( must ee"s %e a!i/e if it mo/e.

C. T$ou seest t$erefore $o* t$e Sou! is surc$arge"( *$e it carriet$ t*o Bo"ies.

CC. A" o* it is maifest t$at t$e t$igs t$at are mo/e" i somet$ig( a" %# somet$ig.



C4. Asc!e:. T$e t$igs t$at are mo/e"( O Trismegistus( must ee"s %e mo/e" i t$at *$ic$ is /oi"( or

em:t# /acuum( .

C3. Be a"/ise"( O Asc!e:ius( for a!! t$e t$igs t$at are( t$ere is ot$ig em:t#( o!# t$at *$ic$ is ot( is

em:t# a" a strager to e@istece or %eig.

C. But t$at *$ic$ is cou!" ot %e if it *ere ot fu!! of e@istece+ for t$at *$ic$ is i %eig or e@istece(

ca e/er %e ma"e em:t#.

CL. Asc!e:. Are t$ere ot t$erefore some t$igs t$at are em:t#( O Trismegistus( as a em:t# Barre!( a

em:t# Hogs$ea"( a em:t# 1i!!( a em:t# 1ie>:ress( a" ma# suc$ !i&e

C. Herm. O t$e grossess of t$# error( O Asc!e:ius+ t$ose t$igs t$at are most fu!! a" re:!eis$e"( "ost

t$ou accout t$em /oi" a" em:t#

45. Asc!e:. 1$at ma# %e t$# meaig( Trismegistus

42. Herm. Is ot t$e Air a Bo"#

4. Asc!e:. It is a Bo"#.

4. Herm. 1$# t$e t$is Bo"#( "oes it ot :ass t$roug$ a!! t$igs t$at are A" :assig t$roug$ t$em( fi!!

t$em a" t$at Bo"#( "ot$ it ot cosist of t$e mi@ture of t$e four t$erefore( a!! t$ose t$igs *$ic$ t$ou

ca!!est em:t# are fu!! of Air.

4C. T$erefore( t$ose t$igs t$ou ca!!est em:t#( t$ou oug$test to ca!! t$em $o!!o*( ot em:t#+ for t$e# e@ist

a" are fu!! of Air a" S:irit.



44. Asc!e:. T$is reaso is %e#o" a!! cotra"ictio( O Trismegistus( %ut *$at s$a!! *e ca!! t$e :!ace i

*$ic$ t$e *$o!e 8i/erse is mo/e"

43. Herm. 7a!! it icor:orea!( O Asc!e:ius.

4. Asc!e:. 1$at is t$at( icor:orea! or u%o"i!#

4L. Herm. T$e Mi" a" Reaso( t$e *$o!e( *$o!!# com:re$e"ig itse!f( free from a!! Bo"#(

u"ecei/a%!e( i/isi%!e( im:assi%!e from a Bo"# itse!f( sta"ig fast i itse!f( ca:a%!e of a!! t$igs( a"

t$at Sa/our of t$e t$igs t$at are.

4. 1$ereof t$e 'oo"( t$e Trut$( t$e Arc$et#:a! )ig$t( t$e Arc$et#:e of t$e Sou!( are( as it *ere( Beams.

35. Asc!e:. 1$#( t$e( *$at is 'o"

32. Herm. T$at *$ic$ is oe of t$ese t$igs( #et is( a" is t$e cause of %eig to a!!( a" e/er# oe of t$e

t$igs t$at are+ for $e !eft ot$ig "estitute of Beig.

3. A" a!! t$igs are ma"e of t$igs t$at are( a" ot of t$igs t$at are ot+ for t$e t$igs t$at are ot(

$a/e ot t$e ature to %e a%!e to %e ma"e+ a" agai( t$e t$igs t$at are( $a/e ot t$e ature e/er to %e(

or ot to %e at a!!.

3. Asc!e:. 1$at "ost t$ou t$e sa# at !egt$ t$at 'o" is

3C. Herm. 'o" is ot a Mi"( %ut t$e 7ause t$at t$e Mi" is+ ot a s:irit( %ut t$e 7ause t$at t$e S:irit is+ot )ig$t( %ut t$e 7ause t$at )ig$t is.

34. T$erefore( *e must *ors$i: 'o" %# t$ese t*o A::e!!atios( *$ic$ are :ro:er to $im a!oe( a" to o

ot$er.



3. A" t$is $e is a" ot$ig e!se+ %ut a!! ot$er t$igs are se:ara%!e from t$e ature of 'oo".

3L. 6or t$e Bo"# a" t$e Sou! $a/e o :!ace t$at is ca:a%!e of or ca cotai t$e 'oo".

3. 6or t$e greatess of 'oo" is as great as t$e E@istece of a!! t$igs t$at are( %ot$ %o"i!# a" u%o"i!#(

%ot$ sesi%!e a" ite!!igi%!e.

5. T$is is t$e 'oo"( e/e 'o".

2. See( t$erefore( t$at t$ou "o ot at a# time ca!! oug$t e!se 'oo"( for so t$ou s$a!t %e im:ious+ or a#

e!se 'o"( %ut o!# t$e 'oo"( for so t$ou s$a!t agai %e im:ious.

. I 1or" it is ofte sai" %# a!! me t$e 'oo"( %ut a!! me "o ot u"ersta" *$at it is+ %ut t$roug$

Igorace t$e# ca!! %ot$ t$e 'o"s( a" some me( 'oo"( t$at ca e/er %e( or %e ma"e so.

. T$erefore a!! t$e ot$er 'o"s are $ooure" *it$ t$e tit!e or a::e!!atio of 'o"( %ut 'o" is t$e 'oo"(

ot accor"ig to Hea/e( %ut Nature.

C. 6or t$ere is oe Nature of 'o"( e/e t$e 'oo"( a" oe &i" of t$em %ot$( from *$ece a!! are &i"s.

4. 6or $e t$at is 'oo"( is t$e gi/er of a!! t$igs( a" ta&es ot$ig+ a"( t$erefore( 'o" gi/es a!! t$igs(

a" recei/es ot$ig.

3. T$e ot$er tit!e a" a::e!!atio( is t$e 6at$er( %ecause of $is ma&ig a!! t$igs+ for it is t$e :art of a

6at$er to ma&e.

. T$erefore( it $at$ %ee t$e greatest a" most Re!igious care i t$is !ife( to t$em t$at are 1ise( a"

*e!!>mi"e"( to %eget c$i!"re.



L. As !i&e*ise it is t$e greatest misfortue a" im:iet#( for a# to %e se:arate" from me( *it$out

c$i!"re+ a" t$is ma is :uis$e" after Deat$ %# t$e Demos( a" t$e :uis$met is t$is0 To $a/e t$e

Sou! of t$is c$i!"!ess ma( a"9u"ge" a" co"eme"( to a Bo"# t$at eit$er $at$ t$e ature of a ma( or

of a *oma( *$ic$ is a accurse" t$ig u"er t$e Su.

. T$erefore( O Asc!e:ius( e/er cogratu!ate a# ma t$at is c$i!"!ess+ %ut o t$e cotrar# :it# $is

misfortue( &o*ig *$at :uis$met a%i"es( a" is :re:are" for $im.

L5. )et so ma#( a" suc$ maer of t$igs( O Asc!e:ius( %e sai" as a certai :recogitio of a!! t$igs i

Nature.

T$e E" of t$e Nit$ Boo&(

A 8NIVERSA) SERMON TO AS7)EPI8S.



THE TENTH BOOK, THE MIND TO HERMES

6ORBEAR t$# S:eec$( O Hermes Trismegistus, a" ca!! to mi" to t$ose t$igs t$at

are sai"+ %ut I *i!! ot "e!a# to s:ea& *$at comes ito m# mi"( sit$ece ma# me

$a/e s:o&e ma# t$igs( a" t$ose /er# "ifferet( cocerig t$e 8i/erse( a"'oo"+ %ut I $a/e ot !eare" t$e Trut$.

. T$erefore( t$e )or" ma&e it :!ai to me i t$is :oit+ for I *i!! %e!ie/e t$ee o!#( for

t$e maifestatio of t$ese t$igs.

. T$e sai" t$e Mi" $o* t$e case sta"s.

C. 'o" a" A!!.

4. 'o"( Eterit#( t$e 1or!"( Time( 'eeratio.

3. 'o" ma"e Eterit#( Eterit# t$e 1or!"( t$e *or!" Time( a" Time 'eeratio.

. Of 'o"( as it *ere( t$e Su%stace( is t$e Good ( t$e Fair ( Blessedness( Wisdom.

L. Of Eterit#( I"etit#( or Se!fess.

. Of t$e 1or!"( Or"er.

25. Of Time( 7$age.

22. Of 'eeratio( )ife a" Deat$.

2. But t$e O:eratio of 'o"( is Mi" a" Sou!.

2. Of Eterit#( Permaece( or )og>!astig( a" Immorta!it#.

2C. Of t$e 1or!"( Restitutio( a" Deca#( or Destructio.

24. Of Time( Augmetatio a" Dimiutio.

23. A" of 'eeratio ;ua!ities.

2. T$erefore( Eterit# is i 'o".



2L. T$e 1or!" i Eterit#.

2. Time i t$e 1or!".

5. A" 'eeratio i Time.

2. A" Eterit# sta"et$ a%out 'o".

. T$e 1or!" is mo/e" i Eterit#.

. Time is "etermie" i t$e 1or!".

C. 'eeratio is "oe i Time.

4. T$erefore( t$e S:rig a" 6outai of a!! t$igs is 'o".

3. T$e Su%stace Eterit#.

. T$e Matter is t$e 1or!".

L. T$e Po*er of 'o" is Eterit#.

. A" t$e 1or& of Eterit#( is t$e 1or!" ot #et ma"e( a" #et e/er ma"e %#

Eterit#.

5. T$erefore( s$a!! ot$ig %e at a# time "estro#e"( for Eterit# is icorru:ti%!e.

2. Neit$er ca a#t$ig :eris$( or %e "estro#e" i t$e 1or!"( t$e 1or!" %eig

cotaie" a" em%race" %# Eterit#.

. But *$at is t$e 1is"om of 'o" E/e t$e Good a" t$e Fair ( a" Blessedness(

a" e/er# Virtue( a" Eterit#.

. Eterit#( t$erefore( :ut ito t$e Matter Immorta!it# a" E/er!astigess+ for t$e'eeratio of t$at "e:e"s u:o Eterit#( e/e as Eterit# "ot$ of 'o".

C. 6or 'eeratio a" Time( i Hea/e a" i Eart$( are of a "ou%!e Nature+ i

Hea/e t$e# are uc$agea%!e a" icorru:ti%!e+ %ut o Eart$ t$e# are c$agea%!e

a" corru:ti%!e.



4. A" t$e Sou! of Eterit# is 'o"+ a" t$e Sou! of t$e 1or!"( Eterit#+ a" of t$e

Eart$( Hea/e.

3. 'o" is i t$e Mi"( t$e Mi" i t$e Sou!( t$e Sou! i t$e Matter( a!! t$igs %#

Eterit#.

. A!! t$is 8i/ersa! Bo"#( i *$ic$ are a!! Bo"ies( is fu!! of Sou!( t$e Sou! fu!! of

Mi"( t$e Mi" fu!! of 'o".

L. 6or *it$i $e fi!!s t$em( a" *it$out $e cotais t$em( ;uic&eig t$e 8i/erse.

. 1it$out( $e ;uic&es t$is :erfect !i/ig t$ig t$e 1or!"( a" *it$i a!! !i/ig

7reatures.

C5. A" a%o/e i Hea/e $e a%i"es i I"etit# or Se!fess( %ut %e!o* u:o Eart$ $e

c$aget$ 'eeratio.

C2. Eterit# com:re$e"et$ t$e 1or!" eit$er %# ecessit#( or Pro/i"ece( or Nature.

C. A" if a# ma s$a!! t$i& a# ot$er t$ig( it is 'o" t$at actuatet$( or o:eratet$

t$is A!!.

C. But t$e o:eratio or Act of 'o"( is Po*er isu:era%!e( to *$ic$ oe ma#

com:are a#t$ig( eit$er Humae or Di/ie.

CC. T$erefore( O Hermes, t$i& oe of t$ese t$igs %e!o*( or t$e t$igs a%o/e( i

a#*ise !i&e uto 'o"+ for if t$ou "ost( t$ou errest from t$e Trut$.

C4. 6or ot$ig ca %e !i&e t$e u!i&e( a" o!#( a" Oe+ or ma#est t$ou t$i& t$at

$e $at$ gi/e of $is Po*er to a# ot$er t$ig.

C3. 6or *$o after $im ca ma&e a#t$ig( eit$er of )ife or Immorta!it#0 of 7$age or

of ua!it# a" $imse!f( *$at ot$er t$igs s$ou!" $e ma&e

C. 6or 'o" is ot i"!e( for t$e a!! t$igs *ou!" %e i"!e+ for a!! t$igs are fu!! of 'o".

CL. But t$ere is ot a#*$ere i t$e 1or!"( suc$ a t$ig as I"!eess+ for I"!eess is a

ame t$at im:!iet$ a t$ig /oi" or em:t#( %ot$ of a Doer( a" a t$ig "oe.



C. But a!! t$igs must ecessari!# %e ma"e or "oe %ot$ a!*a#s( a" accor"ig to t$e

ature of e/er# :!ace.

45. 6or $e t$at ma&et$ or "ot$( is i a!! t$igs( #et ot fastee" or com:re$e"e" i

a#t$ig+ or ma&ig or "oig oe t$ig( %ut a!! t$igs.

42. 6or %eig a acti/e or o:eratig Po*er( a" sufficiet of $imse!f for t$e t$igs

t$at are ma"e( a" t$e t$igs t$at are ma"e are u"er $im.

4. )oo& u:o( t$roug$ me( t$e 1or!" is su%9ect to t$# sig$t( a" u"ersta" e@act!#

t$e Beaut# t$ereof.

4. A Bo"# :er:etua!( t$a t$e *$ic$ t$ere is ot$ig more aciet( #et a!*a#s

/igorous a" #oug.

4C. See a!so t$e Se/e 1or!"s set o/er us( a"ore" *it$ a e/er!astig or"er( a"

fi!!ig Eterit# *it$ a "ifferet course.

44. 6or a!! t$igs are fu!! of )ig$t( %ut t$e 6ire is o*$ere.

43. 6or t$e frie"s$i: a" commi@ture of cotraries a" u!i&e( %ecome )ig$t s$iig

from t$e Act or O:eratio of 'o"( t$e 6at$er of a!! 'oo"( t$e Price of a!! Or"er( a"

t$e Ru!er of t$e Se/e 1or!"s.

4. )oo& a!so u:o t$e Moo( t$e foreruer of t$em a!!( t$e Istrumet of Nature(

a" *$ic$ c$aget$ t$e matter $ere %e!o*.

4L. Be$o!" t$e Eart$ t$e mi""!e of t$e 1$o!e( t$e firm a" sta%!e 6ou"atio of t$e

6air 1or!"( t$e 6ee"er a" Nurse of Eart$!# t$igs.

4. 7osi"er( moreo/er( $o* great t$e mu!titu"e is of immorta! !i/ig t$igs( a" of

morta! oes a!so+ a" see t$e Moo goig a%out i t$e mi"st of %ot$( to *it( of t$igs

immorta! a" morta!.

35. But a!! t$igs are fu!! of Sou!( a" a!! t$igs are :ro:er!# mo/e" %# it+ some t$igs

a%out t$e Hea/e( a" some t$igs a%out t$e Eart$+ a" eit$er of t$ose o t$e rig$t

$a" to t$e !eft+ or t$ose o t$e !eft $a" to t$e rig$t+ or t$ose t$igs t$at are a%o/e(

"o**ar"+ or t$ose t$igs t$at are %e!o*( u:*ar"s.



32. A" t$at a!! t$ese t$igs are ma"e( O %e!o/e" Hermes, t$ou ee"st ot !ear of

me.

3. 6or t$e# are Bo"ies( a" $a/e a Sou!( a" are mo/e".

3. A" t$at a!! t$ese s$ou!" come toget$er ito oe( it is im:ossi%!e *it$out

somet$ig to gat$er t$em toget$er.

3C. T$erefore( t$ere must %e some suc$ oes( a" $e a!toget$er Oe.

34. 6or seeig t$at t$e motios are "i/ers( a" ma#( a" t$e Bo"ies ot a!i&e( a" #et

oe or"ere" s*iftess amog t$em a!!+ It is im:ossi%!e t$ere s$ou!" %e t*o or more

Ma&ers.

33. 6or oe or"er is ot &e:t %# ma#.

3. But i t$e *ea&er t$ere *ou!" %e 9ea!ous# of t$e stroger( a" t$ece a!so

cotetios.

3L. A" if t$ere *ere oe Ma&er( of muta%!e morta! !i/ig 1ig$ts( $e *ou!" "esire

a!so to ma&e immorta! oes( as $e t$at *ere t$e Ma&er of immorta! oes( *ou!" "o to

ma&e morta!.

3. Moreo/er( a!so( if t$ere *ere t*o( t$e Matter of %eig oe( *$o s$ou!" %e c$ief( or $a/e t$e "is:osig of t$e future

5. Or if %ot$ of t$em( *$ic$ of t$em t$e greater :art

2. But t$i&s t$us t$at e/er# !i/ig Bo"# $at$ its cosistece of Matter a" sou!+ a"

of t$at *$ic$ is immorta!( a" t$at *$ic$ is morta! a" ureasoa%!e.

. 6or a!! !i/ig Bo"ies $a/e a Sou!+ a" t$ose t$igs t$at are ot !i/ig( are o!#

matter %# itse!f.

. A" t$e Sou! !i&e*ise of itse!f "ra*ig ear $er Ma&er( is t$e cause of )ife a"

Beig( a" Beig t$e cause of )ife is( after a maer( t$e cause of immorta! t$igs.

C. Ho* t$e are morta! 1ig$ts ot$er from immorta!



4. Or $o* caot $e ma&e !i/ig 1ig$ts( t$at causet$ immorta! t$igs a"

immorta!it#

3. T$at t$ere is some Bo"# t$at "ot$ t$ese t$igs it is a::aret( a" t$at $e is a!so

oe( it is most maifest.

. 6or t$ere is oe Sou!( oe )ife( a" oe matter.

L. 1$o is t$is *$o ca it %e( ot$er t$a t$e One God

. 6or *$om e!se ca it %eefit to ma&e !i/ig t$igs( sa/e o!# 'o" a!oe

L5. T$ere is t$erefore Oe 'o".

L2. 6or it is a ri"icu!ous t$ig to cofess t$e 1or!" to %e oe( oe Su( oe Moo( oeDi/iit#( a" #et to $a/e( I &o* ot $o* ma# go"s.

L. He t$erefore %eig Oe( "ot$ a!! t$igs i ma# t$igs.

L. A" *$at great t$ig is it for 'o"( to ma&e )ife( a" Sou!( a" Immorta!it#( a"

7$age( *$e t$#se!f "ost so ma# t$igs

LC. 6or t$ou %ot$ seest( s:ea&et$( a" $earest( sme!!est( tastest( a" touc$est( *a!&est(

u"ersta"est( a" %reat$est.

L4. A" it is ot oe t$at sees( a" aot$er t$at $earet$( a" aot$er t$at s:ea&et$( a"

aot$er t$at touc$et$( a" aot$er t$at sme!!et$( a" aot$er t$at *a!&et$( a" aot$er

t$at u"ersta"et$( a" aot$er t$at %reat$et$+ %ut oe t$at "ot$ a!! t$ese t$igs.

L3. Yet eit$er ca t$ese t$igs :ossi%!# %e *it$out 'o".

L. 6or as t$ou( if t$ou s$ou!"est cease from "oig t$ese t$igs( *ere ot a !i/ig

*ig$t( so if 'o" s$ou!" cease from t$ose( $e *ere ot <*$ic$ is ot !a*fu! to sa#= a#!oger 'o".

LL. 6or if it %e a!rea"# "emostrate" t$at ot$ig ca %e i"!e or em:t#( $o* muc$

more ma# %e affirme" of 'o"



L. 6or if t$ere %e a#t$ig *$ic$ $e "ot$ ot "o( t$e is $e <if it *ere !a*fu! to sa#

so= im:erfect.

5. 1$ereas( seeig $e is ot i"!e( %ut :erfect( certai!# $e "ot$ a!! t$igs.

2. No* gi/e t$#se!f uto me( O Hermes( for a !itt!e *$i!e( t$ou s$a!t t$e more easi!#

u"ersta"( t$at it is t$e ecessar# *or& of 'o"( t$at a!! t$igs s$ou!" %e ma"e or

"oe t$at are "oe( or *ere oce "oe( or s$a!! %e "oe.

. A" t$is( O %est %e!o/e"( is )ife.

. A" t$is is t$e Fair .

C. A" t$is is t$e Good .

4. A" t$is is God .

3. A" if t$ou *i!! u"ersta" t$is %# *or& a!so( mar& *$at $a::es to t$#se!f *$e

t$ou *i!! geerate.

. A" #et t$is is ot !i&e uto $im( for $e is ot sesi%!e of :!easure( for eit$er $at$

$e a# ot$er 6e!!o* 1or&ma.

L. But %eig $imse!f t$e o!# 1or&ma( $e is a!*a#s i t$e *or&( $imse!f %eig t$at*$ic$ $e "ot$ or ma&et$.

. 6or a!! t$igs( if t$e# *ere se:arate from $im( must ee"s fa!! a" "ie( as t$ere

%eig o !ife i t$em.

255. A" agai( if a!! t$igs %e !i/ig *ig$ts( %ot$ *$ic$ are i $ea/e( a" u:o

eart$( a" t$at t$ere %e oe )ife i a!! t$igs *$ic$ are ma"e %# 'o"( a" t$at is 'o"(

t$e certai!# a!! t$igs are ma"e or "oe %# 'o".

252. )ife is t$e uio of t$e Mi" a" t$e Sou!.

25. But "eat$ is ot t$e "estructio of t$ose t$igs t$at *ere gat$ere" toget$er( %ut a

"isso!/ig of t$e 8io.



25. T$e Image t$erefore of 'o"( is Eterit#+ of Eterit#( t$e 1or!"+ of t$e 1or!"( t$e

Su0 of t$e Su( Ma.

25C. But t$e :eo:!e sa#( T$at c$agig is Deat$( %ecause t$e %o"# is "isso!/e"( a"

t$e )ife goet$ ito t$at *$ic$ a::earet$ ot.

254. B# t$is "iscourse( m# "earest Hermes( I affirm as t$ou $earest. T$at t$e 1or!" is

c$age"( %ecause e/er# "a# :art t$ereof %ecomes i/isi%!e( %ut t$at it is e/er

"isso!/e".

253. A" t$ese are t$e Passios of t$e 1or!"( Re/o!utios a" Occu!tatios( a"

Re/o!utio is a turig( %ut Occu!tatio is Reo/atio.

25. A" t$e 1or!" %eig a!! forme"( $at$ ot t$e forms !#ig *it$out it( %ut itse!f

c$aget$ i itse!f.

25L. Seeig t$e t$e 1or!" is a!! forme"( *$at must $e %e t$at ma"e it for *it$out

form( $e caot %e.

25. A" if $e %e a!! forme"( $e *i!! %e &e:t !i&e t$e 1or!"( %ut if $e $a/e %ut oe

form( $e s$a!! %e i t$is regar"!ess of t$e *or!".

225. 1$at "o *e t$e sa# t$at $e is 1e *i!! ot raise a# "ou%ts %# our s:eec$( for

ot$ig t$at is "ou%tfu! cocerig 'o" is #et &o*.

222. He $at$ t$erefore oe Idea, *$ic$ is :ro:er to $im( *$ic$( %ecause it is u%o"i!#(

is ot su%9ect to t$e sig$t( a" #et s$o*s a!! forms %# t$e Bo"ies.

22. A" "o ot *o"er if t$ere %e a icorru:ti%!e Idea.

22. 6or t$e# are !i&e t$e Margets of t$e S:eec$( *$ic$ is i *ritig+ for t$e# seem

to %e $ig$ a" s*e!!ig( %ut t$e# are %# ature smoot$ a" e/e.

22C. But u"ersta" *e!! t$is t$at I sa#( more %o!"!#( for it is more true0 As ma

caot !i/e *it$out !ife( so eit$er ca 'o" !i/e ot "oig goo".

224. 6or t$is is( as it *ere( t$e )ife a" Motio of 'o"( to Mo/e a!! t$igs( a"

uic&e t$em.



223. But some of t$e t$igs I $a/e sai"( must $a/e a :articu!ar e@:!aatio+

8"ersta" t$e *$at I sa#.

22. A!! t$igs are i 'o"( ot as !#ig i a :!ace( for P!ace is %ot$ a %o"# a"

immo/ea%!e( a" t$ose t$igs t$at are :!ace"( $a/e o motio.

22L. 6or t$e# !ie ot$er*ise i t$at *$ic$ is u%o"i!#( t$a i t$e fatasie( or to

a::earace.

22. 7osi"er $im t$at cotais a!! t$igs( a" u"ersta" t$at ot$ig is more

ca:acious( t$a t$at *$ic$ is icor:orea!( ot$ig more s*ift( ot$ig more :o*erfu!(

%ut it is most ca:acious( most s*ift( a" most strog.

25. A" 9u"ge of t$is %# t$#se!f( comma" t$# Sou! to go ito India( a" sooer t$a

t$ou cast %i" it( it *i!! %e t$ere.

22. Bi" it !i&e*ise :ass o/er t$e Ocean( a" su""e!# it *i!! %e t$ere+ ot as :assig

from :!ace to :!ace( %ut su""e!# it *i!! %e t$ere.

2. 7omma" it to f!# ito Hea/e( a" it *i!! ot ee" o *igs( eit$er s$a!!

a#t$ig $i"er it( ot t$e fire of t$e Su( ot t$e Aether ( ot t$e turig of t$e

S:$eres( ot t$e %o"ies of a# ot$er Stars( %ut cuttig t$roug$ a!!( it *i!! f!# u: to t$e

!ast a" furt$est %o"#.

2. A" if t$ou *i!t e/e %rea& t$e *$o!e( a" see t$ose t$igs t$at are *it$out t$e

*or!" <if t$ere %e a#t$ig *it$out=( t$ou ma#est.

2C. Be$o!"( $o* great :o*er( $o* great s*iftess t$ou $ast 7ast t$ou "o a!! t$ee

t$igs( a" caot 'o"

24. After t$is maer( t$erefore( cotem:!ate 'o" to $a/e a!! t$e *$o!e *or!" to

$imse!f( as it *ere( a!! t$oug$ts( or ite!!ectios.

23. If t$erefore t$ou *i!t ot e;ua! t$#se!f to 'o"( t$ou cast ot u"ersta" 'o".

2. 6or t$e !i&e is ite!!igi%!e %# t$e !i&e.

2L. Icrease t$#se!f uto a immeasurea%!e greatess( !ea:ig %e#o" e/er# Bo"#(

a" trasce"ig a!! Time( %ecome Eterit#( a" t$ou s$a!t u"ersta" 'o"0 If t$ou



%e!ie/e i t$#se!f( t$at ot$ig is im:ossi%!e( %ut accoutest t$#se!f immorta!( a" t$at

t$ou cast u"ersta" a!! t$igs( e/er# Art( e/er# Sciece( a" t$e maer a" custom

of e/er# !i/ig t$ig.

2. Become $ig$er t$a a!! $eig$t( !o*er t$a a!! "e:t$s( com:re$e" i t$#se!f t$e;ua!itites of a!! t$e 7reatures( of t$e 6ire( t$e 1ater( t$e Dr#( a" Moist( a" cocei/e

!i&e*ise( t$at t$ou cast at oce %e e/er#*$ere( i t$e Sea( i t$e Eart$.

25. T$ou s$a!t at oce u"ersta" t$#se!f( ot #et %egotte i t$e 1om%( #oug( o!"(

to %e "ea"( t$e t$igs after "eat$( a" a!! t$ese toget$er( as a!so times( :!aces( "ee"s(

;ua!ities( ;uatities( or e!se t$ou cast ot #et u"ersta" 'o".

22. But if t$ou s$ut u: t$# Sou! i t$e Bo"#( a" a%use it( a" sa#( I u"ersta"

ot$ig( I ca "o ot$ig( I am afrai" of t$e Sea( I caot c!im% u: to Hea/e( I &o*ot *$o I am( I caot te!! *$at I s$a!! %e0 1$at $ast t$ou to "o *it$ go" for t$ou

cast u"ersta" oe of t$ose 6air a" 'oo" t$igs( a" %e a !o/er of t$e %o"# a"

E/i!.

2. 6or it is t$e greatest E/i!( ot to &o* 'o".

2. But to %e a%!e to &o*( a" to *i!!( a" to $o:e( is t$e straig$t *a#( a" Di/ie

*a#( :ro:er to t$e 'oo"( a" it *i!! e/er#*$ere meet t$ee( a" e/er#*$ere %e see of

t$ee( :!ai a" eas#( *$e t$ou "ost ot e@:ect or !oo& for it+ it *i!! meet t$ee *a&ig(s!ee:ig( sai!ig( tra/e!!ig( %# ig$t( %# "a#( *$e t$ou s:ea&est( a" *$e t$ou

&ee:est si!ece.

2C. 6or t$ere is ot$ig *$ic$ is ot t$e Image of 'o".

24. A" #et t$ou sa#est( 'o" is i/isi%!e+ %ut %e a"/ise"( for *$o is more maifest

t$a He

23. 6or t$erefore $at$ $e ma"e a!! t$igs( t$at t$ou %# a!! t$igs ma#est see Him.

2. T$is is t$e 'oo" of 'o"( t$is is t$e Virtue( to a::ear( a" to %e see i a!! t$igs.

2L. T$ere is ot$ig i/isi%!e( o( ot of t$ose t$igs t$at are icor:orea!.

2. T$e Mi" is see i u"ersta"ig( a" 'o" is see i "oig or ma&ig.



2C5. )et t$ese t$igs t$us far fort$( %e ma"e maifest uto t$ee( O Trismegistus.

2C2. 8"ersta" i !i&e maer( a!! ot$er t$igs %# t$#se!f( a" t$ou s$a!t ot %e

"ecei/e".

T$e E" of t$e Tet$ Boo&(

THE MIND TO HERMES.



THE E)EVENTH BOOK O6 THE 7OMMON MIND( TO TAT

THE Mi"( O Tat( is of t$e /er# Essece of 'o"( if #et t$ere %e a# Essece of 'o".

. 1$at &i" of Essece t$at is( $e a!oe &o*s $imse!f e@act!#.

. T$e Mi" t$erefore is ot cut off( or "i/i"e" from t$e essetia!it# of 'o"( %ut uite" as t$e !ig$t of t$e

Su.

C. A" t$is Mi" i me( is 'o"( a" t$erefore are some me Di/ie( a" t$eir Humait# is ear Di/iit#.

4. 6or t$e goo" Demo ca!!e" t$e 'o"s( immorta! Me( a" me morta! 'o"s.

3. But i t$e %rute Beast( or ureasoa%!e !i/ig 1ig$ts( t$e Mi" is t$eir Nature.

. 6or *$ere t$ere is a Sou!( t$ere is t$e Mi"( as *$ere t$ere is )ife t$ere is a!so a Sou!.

L. I !i/ig 7reatures( t$erefore( t$at are *it$out Reaso( t$e Sou! is )ife( /oi" of t$e o:eratios of t$e

Mi".

. 6or t$e Mi" is t$e Beefactor of t$e Sou!s of me( a" *or&et$ to t$e :ro:er 'oo".

25. A" i ureasoa%!e t$igs it co>o:eratet$ *it$ t$e ature of e/er#oe of t$em( %ut i me it *or&et$

agaist t$eir Natures.

22. 6or t$e Sou! %eig i t$e %o"#( is straig$t*a# ma"e E/i! %# Sorro*( a" 'rief( a" P!easure( or

De!ig$t.



2. 6or 'rief a" P!easure( f!o* !i&e 9uices from t$e com:ou" Bo"#( *$ereito *$e t$e Sou! eteret$

or "esce"et$( s$e is moistee" a" ticture" *it$ t$em.

2. As ma# Sou!s( t$erefore( as t$e Mi" go/eret$( or o/erru!et$( to t$em it s$o*s its o* )ig$t(

resistig t$eir :re:ossessios or :resum:tios.

2C. As a goo" P$#sicia grie/et$ t$e Bo"#( :re:ossesse" of a "isease( %# %urig or !acig it for $ea!t$Js

sa&e+

24. After t$e same maer a!so t$e Mi" grie/et$ t$e Sou!( %# "ra*ig it out of P!easure( from *$ece

e/er# "isease of t$e Sou! :rocee"et$.

23. But t$e 'reat Disease of t$e Sou! is At$eism( %ecause t$at o:iio fo!!o*et$ to a!! E/i!( a" o 'oo".

2. T$erefore( t$e Mi" resistig( it :rocuret$ 'oo" to t$e Sou!( as a P$#sicia to t$e Bo"#.

2L. But as ma# Sou!s of Me( as "o ot a"mit or etertai t$e Mi" for t$eir 'o/eror( "o suffer t$esame t$ig t$at t$e Sou! of ureasoa%!e !i/ig t$igs.

2. 6or t$e Sou! %eig a 7o>o:erator *it$ t$em( :ermits or !ea/es t$em to t$eir cocu:isceces(

*$ereuto t$e# are carrie" %# t$e torret of t$eir A::etite( a" so te" to %rutis$ess.

5. A" as %rute Bests( t$e# are agr# *it$out reaso( a" t$e# "esire *it$out reaso( a" e/er cease(

or are satisfie" *it$ e/i!.

2. 6or ureasoa%!e Agers a" Desires are t$e most e@cee"ig E/i!s.

. A" t$erefore $at$ 'o" set t$e Mi" o/er t$ere( as a Re/eger a" Re:ro/er of t$em.



. Tat. Here( O 6at$er( t$at "iscourse of 6ate of Desti#( *$ic$ t$ou ma"est to me( is i "ager of %eig

o/ert$ro*+ for if it %e fata! for a# ma to commit A"u!ter# or Sacri!ege( or "o a# e/i!( $e is :uis$e"

a!so( t$oug$ $e( of ecessit#( "o t$e *or& of t$e 6ate or Desti#.

C. Herm. A!! t$igs( O So( are t$e *or& of 6ate( a" *it$out it ca o %o"i!# t$ig( eit$er 'oo" or E/i!(

%e "oe.

4. 6or it is "ecree" %# 6ate( t$at $e t$at "ot$ a# e/i!( s$ou!" a!so suffer for it.

3. A" t$erefore $e "ot$ it( t$at $e ma# suffer t$at *$ic$ $e sufferet$ %ecause $e "i" it.

. But for t$e :reset( !et a!oe t$at s:eec$( cocerig E/i! a" 6ate( for at ot$er times *e $a/e s:o&e

of it.

L. No*( our "iscourse is a%out t$e Mi"( a" *$at it ca "o( a" $o* it "iffers( a" is i me suc$ a oe(

%ut i %rute Beasts c$age".

. A" agai i %rute Beasts it is ot %eeficia!( %ut i me %# ;uec$ig %ot$ t$eir Ager a"

7ocu:isceces.

5. A" of ma( t$ou must u"ersta"( some to %e ratioa!( or go/ere" %# reaso( a" some irratioa!.

2. But a!! me are su%9ect to 6ate( a" to 'eeratio( a" 7$age( for t$ese are t$e %egiig a" e" of

6ate or Desti#

. A" a!! me suffer t$ose t$igs t$at are "ecree" %# 6ate.

. But ratioa! me( o/er *$om( as *e sai"( t$e mi" %ears ru!e( "o ot suffer !i&e uto ot$er me+ %ut

%eig free from /iciousess( a" %eig ot e/i!( t$e# "o suffer e/i!.



C. Tat. Ho* sa#est t$ou t$is agai( 6at$er A A"u!terer( is $e ot e/i! A Mur"erer( is $e ot e/i! a"

so of ot$ers.

4. Herm. But t$e ratioa! ma( O So( *i!! ot suffer for A"u!ter#( %ut as t$e A"u!terer ot for Mur"er(

%ut as t$e Mur"erer.

3. A" it is im:ossi%!e to esca:e t$e ua!it# of c$age as of 'eeratio( %ut t$e Viciousess( $e t$at

$at$ t$e Mi"( ma# esca:e.

. A" t$erefore( O So( I $a/e a!*a#s $ear" t$e goo" Demo sa#( a" if $e $a" "e!i/ere" it i *ritig(

$e $a" muc$ :rofite" a!! ma&i". 6or $e a!oe( O So( as t$e first %or( 'o" seeig a!! t$igs( tru!# s:a&e

Di/ie *or"s. I $a/e $ear" $im sometimes( T$at a!! t$igs are oe t$ig( es:ecia!!# ite!!igi%!e Bo"ies( or

t$at a!! es:ecia!!# ite!!igi%!e Bo"ies are oe.

L. 1e !i/e i Po*er( i Act( a" i Eterit#.

. T$erefore( a goo" mi" is t$at *$ic$ t$e sou! of $im is.

C5. A" if t$is %e so( t$e o ite!!igi%!e t$ig "iffers from ite!!igi%!e t$igs.

C2. As( t$erefore( it is :ossi%!e t$at t$e Mi"( t$e Price of a!! t$igs+ so !i&e*ise( t$at t$e sou! t$at is of

'o"( ca "o *$atsoe/er it *i!!.

C. But u"ersta" t$ou *e!!( for t$is Discourse I $a/e ma"e to t$e uestio *$ic$ t$ou as&est of me

%efore( I ma cocerig 6ate a" t$e Mi".

C. 6irst( if( O So( t$ou s$a!t "i!iget!# *it$"ra* t$#se!f from a!! cotetious s:eec$es( t$ou s$a!t fi"

t$at i Trut$( t$e Mi"( t$e Sou! of 'o" %ears ru!e o/er a!! t$igs( %ot$ o/er 6ate( a" )a*( a" a!! ot$er

t$igs.



CC. A" ot$ig is im:ossi%!e to $im( o( ot of t$e t$igs t$at are of 6ate.

C4. T$erefore( t$oug$ t$e Sou! of Ma %e a%o/e it( !et it ot eg!ect t$e t$igs t$at $a::e to %e u"er

6ate.

C3. A" t$ese( t$us far( *ere t$e e@ce!!et sa#igs of t$e goo" Demo.

C. Tat. Most "i/ie!# s:o&e( O 6at$er( a" tru!# a" :rofita%!#( #et c!ear t$is oe t$ig uto me.

CL. T$ou sa#est( t$at i %rute Beasts t$e Mi" *or&et$ or actet$ after t$e maer of Nature( co>o:eratig

a!so *it$ t$eir = im:etus= ic!iatios.

C. No*( t$e im:etuous ic!iatios of %rute Beasts( as I cocei/e( are Passios. If( t$erefore( t$e Mi" "o

co>o:erate *it$ t$ese im:etuous Ic!iatios( a" t$at t$e# are t$e Passios i %rute Beasts( certai!# t$e

Mi" is a!so a Passio( coformig itse!f to Passios.

45. Herm. 1e!! "oe( So( t$ou as&est o%!#( a" #et it is 9ust t$at I s$ou!" as*er t$ee.

42. A!! icor:orea! t$igs( O So( t$at are i t$e Bo"#( are :assi%!e( a#( t$e# are :ro:er!# Passios.

4. E/er#t$ig t$at mo/et$ is icor:orea!+ e/er#t$ig t$at is mo/e" is a Bo"#+ a" it is mo/e" ito t$e

Bo"ies %# t$e Mi". No*( Motio is :assio( a" t$ere t$e# %ot$ suffer+ as *e!! t$at *$ic$ mo/et$( as

t$at *$ic$ is mo/e"( as *e!! t$at *$ic$ ru!et$( as t$at *$ic$ is ru!e".

4. But %eig free" from t$e Bo"#( it is free" !i&e*ise from Passio.

4C. But es:ecia!!#( O So( t$ere is ot$ig im:assi%!e( %ut a!! t$igs are :assi%!e.

44. But Passio "iffers from t$at *$ic$ is :assi%!e+ for t$at <Passio= actet$( %ut t$is suffers.



43. Bo"ies a!so of t$emse!/es "o act+ for eit$er t$e# are umo/ea%!e( or e!se are mo/e"+ a" *$ic$ soe/er

it %e( it is a Passio.

4. But icor:orea! t$igs "o a!*a#s act( or *or&( a" t$erefore t$e# are :assi%!e.

4L. )et ot( t$erefore( t$e a::e!!atios or ames trou%!e t$ee( for Actio a" Passio are t$e same t$ig(

%ut t$at it is ot grie/ous to use t$e more $oora%!e ame.

4. Tat. O 6at$er( t$ou $ast "e!i/ere" t$is "iscourse most :!ai!#.

35. Herm. 7osi"er t$is a!so( O So( t$at 'o" $at$ free!# %esto*e" u:o ma( a%o/e a!! ot$er !i/ig

t$igs( t$ese t*o( to *it( Mi" a" S:eec$( or Reaso ( e;ua! to immorta!it#.

32. T$ese( if a# ma use( or em:!o# u:o *$at $e oug$t( $e s$a!! "iffer ot$ig from t$e Immorta!s.

3. Yea( rat$er goig out of t$e Bo"#( $e s$a!! %e gui"e" a" !e" %# t$em( %ot$ ito t$e 7$oir a" Societ#

of t$e 'o"( a" %!esse" oes.

3. Tat. Do ot ot$er !i/ig creatures use s:eec$( O 6at$er

3C. Herm. No( So( %ut o!# /oice. No*( s:eec$ a" /oice "o "iffer e@cee"ig muc$+ for s:eec$ is

commo to a!! me( %ut /oice is :ro:er uto e/er# &i" of !i/ig t$ig.

34. Tat. Yea( %ut t$e S:eec$ of me is "ifferet( O 6at$er+ e/er# ma accor"ig to $is Natio.

33. Herm. It is true( O So( t$e# "o "iffer0 #et as Ma is oe( so is S:eec$ oe a!so( a" it is iter:rete"

a" fou" t$e same( %ot$ i Eg#:t( Persia( a" 'reece.



3. But t$ou seemest uto me( So( to %e igorat of t$e Vertue( or Po*er a" greatess of S:eec$.

3L. 6or t$e %!esse" 'o"( t$e goo" Demo sai" or comma"e" t$e Sou! to %e i t$e Bo"#( t$e Mi" i t$e

Sou! ( t$e 1or"( or S:eec$( or Reaso i t$e Mi"( a" t$e Mi" i 'o"( a" t$at 'o" is t$e 6at$er of

t$em a!!.

3. T$erefore( t$e 1or" is t$e Image of t$e Mi"( a" t$e Mi" of 'o"( a" t$e Bo"# of t$e I"ea( a" t$e

I"ea of t$e Sou!.

5. T$erefore( of t$e Matter( t$e su%ti!est or sma!!est :art is Air( of t$e Air t$e Sou!( of t$e Sou! t$e Mi"(

of t$e Mi" 'o".

2. A" 'o" is a%out a!! t$igs( a" t$roug$ a!! t$igs( %ut t$e Mi" a%out t$e Sou!( t$e Sou! a%out t$e

Air( a" t$e Air a%out t$e Matter.

. But Necessit#( a" Pro/i"ece( a" Nature( are t$e Orgas or Istrumets of t$e 1or!"( a" of t$e

Or"er of Matter.

. 6or of t$ose t$igs t$at are ite!!igi%!e( e/er#oe is+ %ut t$e essece of t$em is I"etit#.

C. But of t$e Bo"ies of t$e *$o!e( or ui/erse( e/er# oe is ma# t$igs.

4. 6or t$e Bo"ies t$at are :ut toget$er( a" t$at $a/e( a" ma&e t$eir c$ages ito ot$er( $a/ig t$is

I"etit#( "o a!*a#s a" :reser/e t$e icorru:tio of t$e I"etit#.

3. But i e/er# oe of t$e com:ou" Bo"ies t$ere is a Num%er

. 6or *it$out Num%er it is im:ossi%!e t$ere s$ou!" %e cosistece or costitutio( or com:ositio( or

"isso!utio.



L. But 8ities "o %ot$ %eget a" icrease Num%ers( a" agai %eig "isso!/e"( come ito t$emse!/es.

. A" t$e Matter is Oe.

L5. But t$is *$o!e 1or!"( t$e great 'o"( a" t$e Image of t$e 'reater( a" uite" uto $im( a"

cocerig t$e Or"er( a" 1i!! of t$e 6at$er( is t$e fu!ess of )ife.

L2. A" t$ere is ot$ig t$erei( t$roug$ a!! t$e Eterit# of t$e Re/o!utio( eit$er of t$e *$o!e( or of

t$e :arts *$ic$ "ot$ ot !i/e.

L. 6or t$ere is ot$ig "ea"( t$at eit$er $at$ %ee( or is( or s$a!! %e i t$e 1or!".

L. 6or t$e 6at$er *ou!" $a/e it( as !og as it !asts( to %e a !i/ig t$ig+ a" t$erefore it must ee"s %e

'o" a!so.

LC. Ho*( t$erefore( O So( ca t$ere %e i 'o" i t$e image of t$e 8i/erse( i t$e fu!ess of )ife( a#

"ea" t$igs

L4. 6or "#ig is 7orru:tio( a" corru:tio is "estructio.

L3. Ho*( t$e( ca a# :art of t$e icorru:ti%!e %e corru:te"( or of 'o" %e "estro#e"

L. Tat. T$erefore( O 6at$er( "o ot t$e !i/ig t$igs i t$e 1or!" "ie( t$oug$ t$e# %e :arts t$ereof

LL. Herm. Be *ar# i t$# s:eec$( O So( a" ot "ecei/e" i t$e ames of t$igs.

L. 6or t$e# "o ot "ie( O So( %ut as 7om:ou" %o"ies t$e# are "isso!/e".



5. But "isso!utio is ot "eat$+ a" t$e# are "isso!/e"( ot t$at t$e# ma# %e "estro#e"( %ut t$at t$e# ma#

%e ma"e e*.

2. Tat. 1$at( t$e( is t$e o:eratio of )ife Is it ot Motio

. Herm. A" *$at is t$ere i t$e 1or!" umo/ea%!e Not$ig at a!!( O So.

. Tat. 1$#( "ot$ ot t$e Eart$ seem immo/ea%!e to t$ee( O 6at$er

C. Herm. No( %ut su%9ect to ma# Motios( t$oug$ after a maer( it a!oe %e sta%!e.

4. 1$at a ri"icu!ous t$ig it *ere t$at t$e urse of a!! t$igs s$ou!" %e immo/ea%!e *$ic$ %earet$ a"

%riget$ fort$ a!! t$igs.

3. 6or it is im:ossi%!e t$at a#t$ig t$at %riget$ fort$( s$ou!" %rig fort$ *it$out Motio.

. A" a ri"icu!ous ;uestio it is( *$et$er t$e fourt$ :art of t$e *$o!e( %e i"!e+ for t$e *or" immo/ea%!e(

or *it$out motio( sigifies ot$ig e!se( %ut i"!eess.

L. Ko* geera!!#( O So( t$at *$atsoe/er is i t$e 1or!" is mo/e" eit$er accor"ig to Augmetatio or

Dimiutio.

. But t$at *$ic$ is mo/e"( !i/et$ a!so( #et it is ot ecessar# t$at a !i/ig t$ig s$ou!" %e or cotiue

t$e same.

255. 6or *$i!e t$e *$o!e *or!" is toget$er( it is uc$agea%!e( O So( %ut a!! t$e :arts t$ereof are

c$agea%!e.

252. Yet ot$ig is corru:te" or "estro#e"( a" ;uite a%o!is$e"( %ut t$e ames trou%!e me.



25. 6or 'eeratio is ot )ife( %ut Sese( eit$er is 7$age Deat$( %ut 6orgetfu!ess( or rat$er

Occu!tatio( a" !#ig $i". Or %etter t$us0>>

25. 6or 'eeratio is ot a 7reatio of )ife( %ut a :ro"uctio of t$igs to Sese( a" ma&ig t$em

maifest. Neit$er is 7$age Deat$( %ut a Occu!tatio of $i"ig of t$at *$ic$ *as.

25C. T$ese t$igs %eig so( a!! t$igs are Immorta!( Matter( )ife( S:irit( Sou!( Mi"( *$ereof e/er# !i/ig

t$ig cosistet$.

254. E/er# !i/ig t$ig t$erefore is Immorta!( %ecause of t$e Mi"( %ut es:ecia!!# Ma( *$o %ot$

recei/et$ 'o"( a" co/erset$ *it$ $im.

253. 6or *it$ t$is !i/ig *ig$t( a!oe is 'o" fami!iar+ i t$e ig$t %# "reams( i t$e "a# %# S#m%o!s or

Sigs.

25. A" %# a!! t$igs "ot$ $e forete!! $im of t$igs to come( %# Bir"s( %# 6o*!s( %# t$e S:irit( or 1i"(

a" %# a Oa&.

25L. 1$erefore( a!so( Ma :rofesset$ to &o* t$igs t$at $a/e %ee( t$igs t$at are :reset( a" t$igs to

come.

25. 7osi"er t$is a!so( O So( t$at e/er# ot$er !i/ig 7reature goet$ u:o oe :art of t$e 1or!"(

S*immig t$igs i t$e 1ater( )a" *ig$ts u:o t$e Eart$( 6!#ig 6o*!s i t$e Air.

225. But Ma uset$ a!! t$ese( t$e Eart$( t$e 1ater( t$e Air( a" t$e 6ire( a#( $e seet$ a" touc$et$Hea/e %# $is seses.

222. But 'o" is %ot$ a%out a!! t$igs( a" t$roug$ a!! t$igs( for $e is %ot$ Act a" Po*er.



22. A" it is o $ar" t$ig( O So( to u"ersta" 'o".

22. A" if t$ou *i!t a!so see $im( !oo& u:o t$e Necessit# of t$igs t$at a::ear( a" t$e Pro/i"ece of

t$igs t$at $a/e %ee( a" are "oe.

22C. See t$e Matter %eig most fu!! of )ife( a" so great a 'o" mo/e"( *it$ a!! goo"( a" 6air( %ot$ 'o"s(

a" Demos( a" Me.

224. Tat. But t$ese( O 6at$er( are *$o!!# Acts( or O:eratios.

223. Herm. If t$e# %e( t$erefore( *$o!!# acts or o:eratios( O So( %# *$om are t$e# acte" or o:erate"( %ut %# 'o"

22. Or art t$ou igorat( t$at as :arts of t$e 1or!"( are Hea/e( a" Eart$( a" 1ater( a" Air+ after t$e

same maer( t$e Mem%ers of 'o"( are )ife( a" Immorta!it#( a" Eterit#( a" S:irit( a" Necessit#( a"

Pro/i"ece( a" Nature( a" Sou!( a" Mi"( a" t$e 7otiuace or Perse/erace of a!! t$ese *$ic$ is

ca!!e" 'oo".

22L. A" t$ere is ot a#t$ig of a!! t$at $at$ %ee( a" a!! t$at is( *$ere 'o" is ot.

22. Tat. 1$at( i Matter( O 6at$er

25. Herm. T$e Matter( So( *$at is it *it$out 'o"( t$at t$ou s$ou!"st ascri%e a :ro:er :!ace to it

22. Or *$at "ost t$ou t$i& it to %e Pera"/eture( some $ea: t$at is ot actuate" or o:erate".

2. But if it %e actuate"( %# *$om is it actuate" for *e $a/e sai"( t$at Acts or O:eratios( are t$e :arts

of 'o".



2. B# *$om are a!! !i/ig t$igs ;uic&ee" a" t$e Immorta!( %# *$om are t$e# immorta!i?e" t$e

t$igs t$at are c$agea%!e( %# *$om are t$e# c$age"

2C. 1$et$er t$ou s:ea& of Matter or Bo"#( or Essece( &o* t$at a!! t$ese are Acts of 'o".

24. A" t$at t$e Act of Matter is materia!it#( a" of t$e Bo"ies cor:ora!it#( a" of essece essetia!it#(

a" t$is is 'o" t$e *$o!e.

23. A" i t$e *$o!e( t$ere is ot$ig t$at is ot 'o".

2. 1$erefore( a%out 'o"( t$ere is eit$er 'reatess( P!ace( ua!it#( 6igure( or time( foe $e is A!!( a"t$e A!!( t$roug$ a!!( a" a%out a!!.

2L. T$is 1or"( O So( *ors$i: a" a"ore. A" t$e o!# ser/ice of 'o"( is ot to %e e/i!.

T$e E" of t$e E!e/et$ Boo&

O6 THE 7OMMON MIND( TO TAT.



THE T1E)6TH BOOK( HIS 7RATER OR MONAS

THE 1or&ma ma"e t$is 8i/ersa! 1or!"( ot *it$ $is Ha"s( %ut $is 1or".

. T$erefore t$us t$i& of $im( as :reset e/er#*$ere( a" %eig a!*a#s( a" ma&ig a!! t$igs+ a" oe

a%o/e( t$at %# $is 1i!! $at$ frame" t$e t$igs t$at are.

. 6or t$at is $is Bo"#( ot tagi%!e( or /isi%!e( or measura%!e( or e@tesi%!e( or !i&e a# ot$er %o"#.

C. 6or it is eit$er 6ire( or 1ater( or Air( or 1i"( %ut a!! t$ese t$igs are of $im+ for %eig 'oo"( $e

$at$ "e"icate" t$at ame uto $imse!f a!oe.

4. But $e *ou!" a!so a"or t$e Eart$( %ut *it$ t$e Oramet of a Di/ie Bo"#.

3. A" $e set Ma( a Immorta!( a" a morta! *ig$t.

. A" Ma $a" more t$a a!! !i/ig 7reatures( a" t$e 1or!"+ %ecause of $is S:eec$( a" Mi".

L. 6or Ma %ecame t$e S:ectator of t$e 1or&s of 'o"( a" *o"ere"( a" ac&o*!e"ge" t$e Ma&er.

. 6or $e "i/i"e" S:eec$ amog a!! Me( %ut ot Mi"( a" #et $e e/ie" ot a#+ for E/# comes ot

t$it$er( %ut is a%o"e $ere %e!o* i t$e Sou!s of me( t$at $a/e ot t$e Mi".

25. Tat. But *$erefore( 6at$er( "i" ot 'o" "istri%ute t$e Mi" to a!! me

22. Herm. Because it :!ease" $im( O So( to set t$at i t$e mi""!e amog a!! sou!s( as a re*ar" to stri/e

for.



2. Tat. A" *$ere $at$ $e set it

2. Herm. 6i!!ig a !arge 7u: or Bo*! t$ere*it$( $e set it "o*( gi/ig a!so a 7r#er or Proc!aimer.

2C. A" $e comma"e" $im to :roc!aim t$ese t$igs to t$e sou!s of me.

24. Di: a" *as$ t$#se!f( t$ou t$at art a%!e i t$is 7u: or Bo*!0 T$ou t$at %e!ie/et$ t$at t$ou s$a!t retur

to $im t$at set t$is 7u:+ t$ou t$at ac&o*!e"gest *$ereuto t$ou *ert ma"e.

23. As ma#( t$erefore( as u"erstoo" t$e Proc!amatio( a" *ere %a:ti?e"( or "o*se" ito t$e Mi"(

t$ese *ere ma"e :arta&ers of &o*!e"ge( a" %ecame :erfect me( recei/ig t$e Mi".

2. But as ma# as misse" of t$e Proc!amatio( t$e# recei/e" S:eec$( %ut ot Mi"+ %eig igorat

*$ereuto t$e# *ere ma"e( or %# *$om.

2L. But t$eir Seses are 9ust !i&e to %rute Beasts( a" $a/ig t$eir tem:er i Ager a" 1rat$( t$e# "o ot

a"mire t$e t$igs *ort$# of !oo&ig o.

2. But *$o!!# a""icte" to t$e :!easures a" "esires of t$e Bo"#( t$e# %e!ie/e t$at ma *as ma"e for

t$em.

5. But as ma# as :arta&e of t$e gift of 'o"+ t$ese( O Tat( i com:ariso of t$eir *or&s( are rat$er

immorta!( t$a morta! me.

2. 7om:re$e"ig a!! t$igs i t$eir Mi"( *$ic$ are u:o Eart$( *$ic$ are i Hea/e( a" if t$ere %ea#t$ig a%o/e Hea/e.

. A" !iftig u: t$emse!/es so $ig$( t$e# see t$e 'oo"( a" seeig it( t$e# accout it a misera%!e

ca!amit# to ma&e t$eir a%o"e $ere.



. A" "es:isig a!! t$igs %o"i!# a" u%o"i!#( t$e# ma&e $aste to t$e Oe a" O!#.

C. T$us( O Tat( is t$e &o*!e"ge of t$e Mi"( t$e %e$o!"ig of Di/ie t$igs( a" t$e 8"ersta"ig of

'o"( t$e 7u: itse!f( %eig Di/ie.

4. Tat. A" I( O 6at$er( *ou!" %e %a:ti?e" a" "rec$e" t$erei.

3. Herm. E@ce:t t$ou first $ate t$# %o"#( O So( t$ou cast ot !o/e t$#se!f( %ut !o/ig t$#se!f( t$ou

s$a!t $a/e t$e Mi"( a" $a/ig t$e Mi"( t$ou s$a!t a!so :arta&e t$e Ko*!e"ge or Sciece.

. Tat. Ho* meaest t$ou( O 6at$er

L. Herm. Because it is im:ossi%!e( O So( to %e co/ersat a%out t$igs Morta! a" Di/ie.

. 6or t$e t$igs t$at are( %eig t*o Bo"ies( a" t$igs icor:orea!( *$erei is t$e Morta! a" t$e

Di/ie( t$e E!ectio or 7$oice of eit$er is !eft to $im t$at *i!! c$oose0 6or o ma ca c$oose %ot$.

5. A" of *$ic$ soe/er t$e c$oice is ma"e( t$e ot$er %eig "imiis$e" or o/ercome( magifiet$ t$e act

or o:eratio of t$e ot$er.

2. T$e c$oice of t$e %etter( t$erefore( is ot o!# %est for $im t$at c$ooset$ it( %# "eif#ig ma( %ut it

a!so s$e*t$ Piet# a" Re!igio to*ar"s 'o".

. But t$e c$oice of t$e *orst "estro#s a ma( %ut "ot$ ot$ig agaist 'o"( sa/e t$at as Pom:s or

Pageats( *$e t$e# come a%roa"( caot "o a#t$ig t$emse!/es %ut $i"er+ after t$e same maer a!so"o t$ese ma&e Pom:s a" Pageats i t$e 1or!"( %eig se"uce" %# t$e :!easures of t$e Bo"#.

. T$ese T$igs %eig so( O Tat( t$at t$igs $a/e %ee( a" are so :!eteous!# miistere" to us from

'o"( !et t$em :rocee" a!so from us( *it$out a# scarcit# or s:arig.



C. 6or 'o" is iocet or gui!t!ess( %ut *e are t$e causes of E/i!( :referrig t$em %efore t$e 'oo".

4. T$ou seest( O So( $o* ma# Bo"ies *e must go %e#o"( a" $o* ma# 7$oirs of Demos( a"

*$at cotiuit# a" courses of Stars( t$at *e ma# ma&e $aste to t$e Oe( a" o!# 'o".

3. 6or t$e 'oo" is ot to %e trasce"e"( it is u%ou"e" a" ifiite( uto itse!f( *it$out %egiig( %ut

uto us( seemig to $a/e a %egiig( e/e our &o*!e"ge of it.

. 6or our Ko*!e"ge is ot t$e %egiig of it( %ut s$e*s us t$e %egiig of its %eig &o* uto us.

L. )et us( t$erefore( !a# $o!" of t$e %egiig( a" *e s$a!! ;uic&!# go t$roug$ a!! t$igs.

. It is i"ee" a "ifficu!t t$ig to !ea/e t$ose t$igs t$at are accustoma%!e a" :reset( a" tur us to

t$ose t$igs t$at are aciet( a" accor"ig to t$e origia!.

C5. 6or t$ese t$igs t$at a::ear( "e!ig$t us( %ut ma&e t$e t$igs t$at a::ear ot( $ar" to %e!ie/e( or t$e

t$igs t$at a::ear ot( are $ar" to %e!ie/e.

C2. T$e t$igs most a::aret are E/i!( %ut t$e 'oo" is secret( or $i" i( or to t$e t$igs t$at a::ear( for it

$at$ eit$er 6orm or 6igure.

C. 6or t$is cause it is !i&e to itse!f( %ut u!i&e e/er#t$ig e!se( for it is im:ossi%!e t$at a#t$ig

icor:orea! s$ou!" %e ma"e &o*( or a::ear to a Bo"#.

C. 6or t$is is t$e "ifferece %et*ee t$e !i&e a" t$e u!i&e( a" t$e u!i&e *atet$ a!*a#s some*$at oft$e !i&e.

CC. 6or t$e 8it#( Begiig( a" Root of a!! t$igs( as %eig t$e Root a" Begiig.



C4. Not$ig is *it$out a %egiig( %ut t$e Begiig is of ot$ig( %ut of itse!f( for it is t$e Begiig of

a!! ot$er t$igs.

C3. T$erefore it is( seeig it is ot from aot$er %egiig.

C. 8it# t$erefore %eig t$e Begiig( cotaiet$ /er# um%er( %ut itse!f is cotaie" of oe( a"

%egettet$ e/er# um%er( itse!f %eig %egotte of o ot$er um%er.

CL. E/er#t$ig t$at is %egotte <or ma"e=( is im:erfect( a" ma# %e "i/i"e"( icrease"( "imiis$e".

C. But to t$e :erfect( t$ere $a::eet$ oe of t$ese.

45. A" t$at *$ic$ is icrease"( is icrease" %# 8it#( %ut is cosume" a" /ais$e" t$roug$ *ea&ess(

%eig ot a%!e to recei/e t$e 8it#.

42. T$is Image of 'o"( $a/e I "escri%e" to t$ee( O Tat( as *e!! as I cou!"( *$ic$ if t$ou "o "i!iget!#

cosi"er( a" /ie* %# t$e e#es of t$e# Mi"( a" $ear( %e!ie/e me( So( t$ou s$a!t fi" t$e *a# to t$igs

a%o/e( or( rat$er( t$e Image itse!f *i!! !ea" t$ee.

4. But t$e s:ectac!e or sig$t( $at$ t$is :ecu!iar a" :ro:er0 T$em t$at ca see( a" %e$o!" it( it $o!"s fast

a" "ra*s uto it( as t$e# sa#( t$e )oa"stoe "ot$ Iro.

T$e E" of t$e T*e!ft$ Boo&(

HIS 7RATER OR MONAS.



THE THIRTEENTH BOOK( O6 SENSE AND 8NDERSTANDIN'

YESTERDAY( Asc!e:ius( I "e!i/ere" a :erfect Discourse( %ut o* I t$i& it ecessar#( i suite of t$at( to

"is:ute a!so of Sese.

. 6or Sese a" 8"ersta"ig seem to "iffer( %ecause t$e oe is materia! a" t$e ot$er essetia!.

. But uto me( t$e# a::ear to %e %ot$ oe( or uite"( a" ot "i/i"e" i me( I mea.

C. 6or i ot$er !i/ig 7reatures( Sese is uite" ito Nature( %ut i me to 8"ersta"ig.

4. But t$e Mi" "iffers from 8"ersta"ig( as muc$ a 'o" from Di/iit#.

3. 6or Di/iit# is from u"er 'o"( a" 8"ersta"ig from t$e Mi"( %eig t$e Sister of t$e 1or" or

S:eec$( a" t$e# t$e Istrumets oe of aot$er.

. 6or eit$er is t$e 1or" :roouce" *it$out 8"ersta"ig( eit$er is 8"ersta"ig maifeste"

*it$out t$e 1or".

L. T$erefore( Sese a" 8"ersta"ig "o %ot$ f!o* toget$er ito a ma( as if t$e# *ere ifo!"e" oe

*it$i aot$er.

. 6or eit$er is it :ossi%!e *it$out Sese to 8"ersta"( or ca *e $a/e Sese *it$out 8"ersta"ig.

25. A" #et it is :ossi%!e <for t$e time %eig=( t$at t$e 8"ersta"ig ma# u"ersta" *it$out Sese( as

t$e# t$at fac# /isios i t$eir Dreams.

22. But it seems uto me( t$at %ot$ t$e o:eratios are i t$e Visios of Dreams( a" t$at t$e Sese is

stirre" u: out of s!ee:( ito a*a&eig.



2. 6or Ma is "i/i"e" ito a Bo"# a" a Sou!( *$e %ot$ :arts of t$e Sese accor" oe *it$ aot$er(

t$e is t$e 8"ersta"ig c$i!"e"( or %roug$t fort$ %# t$e Mi" :roouce".

2. 6or t$e Mi" %rigs fort$ a!! Ite!!ectios or 8"ersta"igs( 'oo" oes *$e it recei/et$ goo" see"

from 'o"( a" t$e cotrar#( *$e it recei/es t$em from De/i!s.

2C. 6or t$ere is ot :art of t$e 1or!" /oi" of t$e De/i!( *$ic$ eterig i :ri/ate!#( so*e" t$e see" of $is

o* :ro:er o:eratio( a" t$e mi" "i" ma&e :regat( or "i" %rig fort$ t$at *$ic$ *as so*.

A"u!teries( Mur"ers( Stri&ig of Parets( Sacri!eges( Im:ieties( Strag!igs( t$ro*ig "o* $ea"!og( a"

a!! ot$er t$igs( *$ic$ are t$e *or&s of E/i! Demos.

24. A" t$e see"s of 'o" are fe*( %ut great a" 6air( a" 'oo"( Virtue( a" Tem:erace( a" Piet#.

23. A" t$e Piet# is t$e &o*!e"ge of 'o"( *$om *$osoe/er &o*et$( %eig fu!! of a!! goo" t$igs( $at$

Di/ie 8"ersta"ig( a" ot !i&e t$e ma#.

2. A" t$erefore t$e# t$at $a/e t$at &o*!e"ge( eit$er :!ease t$e mu!titu"e( or t$e mu!titu"e t$em( %ut

t$e# seem to %e ma"( a" to mo/e !aug$ter( $ate" a" "es:ise"( a" ma# times a!so mur"ere".

2L. 6or *e $a/e a!rea"# sai"( T$at *ic&e"ess must "*e!! $ere( %eig i $er o* regio.

2. 6or $er regio is t$e Eart$( a" ot t$e 1or!"( as some *i!! sometimes sa#( B!as:$emig.

5. But t$e 'o"!# or 'o">*ors$i::ig Ma( !a#ig $o!" o &o*!e"ge( *i!! "es:ise or trea" u"er a!!

t$ese t$igs( for t$oug$ t$e# %e e/i! to ot$er me( #et to $im a!! t$igs are goo".

2. A" u:o mature cosi"eratio( $e refers a!! t$igs to &o*!e"ge( a" t$at *$ic$ is most to %e

*o"ere" at( $e a!oe ma&es E/i! t$igs goo".



. But I retur agai to m# Discourse of Sese.

. It is( t$erefore( a t$ig :ro:er to ma( to commuicate a" co9oi Sese a" 8"ersta"ig.

C. But e/er# ma( as I sai" %efore( "ot$ ot e9o# 8"ersta"ig( for oe ma is materia!( aot$er

Essetia!.

4. A" $e t$at is materia! *it$ *ic&e"ess( as I sai"( recei/e" from t$e De/i!s t$e see" of

8"ersta"ig( %ut t$e# t$at are *it$ t$e 'oo" essetia!!#( are eare" *it$ 'o".

3. 6or 'o" is t$e *or&ma of a!! t$igs( a" *$e $e *or&et$( $e uset$ Nature.

. He ma&et$ a!! t$igs goo" !i&e $imse!f.

L. But t$ese t$igs t$at are ma"e goo"( are i t$e use of o:eratio( u!a*fu!.

. 6or t$e Motio of t$e 1or!"( stirrig u: 'eeratios( ma&es ua!ities+ ifestig some *it$ e/i!ess(

a" :urif#ig some *it$ goo".

5. A" t$e 1or!"( Asc!e:ius( $at$ a :ecu!iar Sese a" 8"ersta"ig( ot !i&e to MaJs( or so /arious

or maifo!"( %ut a %etter a" more sim:!e.

2. 6or t$e Sese a" 8"ersta"ig of t$e 1or!" is Oe( i t$at it ma&es a!! t$igs( a" uma&es t$em

agai ito itse!f( for it is t$e Orga of Istrumet of t$e 1i!! of 'o".

. A" it is so orgai?e" or frame"( a" ma"e for a Istrumet %# 'o"( t$at recei/ig a!! See"s ito

itse!f from 'o"( a" &ee:ig t$em i itse!f( it ma&et$ a!! t$igs effectua!!#( a" "isso!/ig t$em( ree*et$

a!! t$igs.



. A" t$erefore !i&e a goo" Hus%a"ma of )ife( *$e t$igs are "isso!/e" or !oosee"( $e affor"s( %#

t$e castig of See"( reo/atio to a!! t$igs t$at gro*.

C. T$ere is ot$ig t$at it <t$e 1or!"= "ot$ ot %eget or %rig fort$ a!i/e( a" %# its Motio( it ma&es a!!

t$igs a!i/e.

4. A" it is at oce( %ot$ t$e P!ace a" t$e 1or&ma of )ife.

3. But t$e Bo"ies are from t$e Matter( i a "ifferet maer( for some are of Eart$( some of 1ater( some

of Air( some of 6ire( a" a!! are com:ou"e"( %ut some are more com:ou"e"( a" some are more sim:!e.

. T$e# t$at are com:ou"e"( are t$e $ea/ier( a" t$e# t$at are !ess( are t$e $ig$er.

L. A" t$e s*iftess of t$e Motio of t$e 1or!"( ma&es t$e /arieties of t$e ;ua!ities of 'eeratio( for

t$e S:iratio of If!uece %eig most fre;uet( e@te"et$ uto t$e Bo"iesJ ;ua!ities( *it$ ifu!ess( *$ic$

is of )ife.

. T$erefore( 'o" is t$e 6at$er of t$e 1or!"( %ut t$e 1or!" is 6at$er of t$e t$igs i t$e 1or!".

C5. A" t$e 1or!" is t$e So of 'o"( %ut t$igs i t$e 1or!"( are t$e Sos of t$e 1or!".

C2. A"( t$erefore( it is *e!! ca!!e" t$e 1or!"( t$at is( a Oramet( %ecause it a"oret$ a" %eautifiet$

a!! t$igs *it$ t$e Variet# of 'eeratio( a" i"eficiec# of )ife( *$ic$ t$e u*earie"ess of O:eratio(

a" t$e s*iftess of Necessit#( *it$ t$e mig!ig of E!emets( a" t$e or"er of t$igs "oe.

C. T$erefore( it is ecessari!# a" :ro:er ca!!e" t$e 1or!".

C. 6or a!! !i/ig t$igs( %ot$ t$e sese a" t$e 8"ersta"ig( comet$ ito t$em from *it$out( is:ire"

%# t$at *$ic$ com:asset$ t$em a%out( a" cotiuet$ t$em.



CC. A" t$e 1or!" recei/ig it oce from 'o" as soo as it *as ma"e( $as it sti!!( *$ate/er it oce $a".

C4. But 'o" is ot as it seems to some *$o B!as:$eme t$roug$ su:erstitio( *it$out Sese( a" *it$out

Mi"( or 8"ersta"ig.

C3. 6or a!! t$igs t$at are( O Asc!e:ius( are i 'o"( a" ma"e %# $im( a" "e:e" of $im( some *or&ig

%# %o"ies( some mo/ig %# a Sou!( !i&e Essece( some ;uic&eig %# a S:irit( a" some recei/ig t$e

t$igs t$at are *ear#( a" a!! /er# fit!#.

C. Or rat$er( I sa#( t$at $e $at$ t$em ot( %ut I "ec!are t$e Trut$( $e is a!! t$igs( ot recei/ig t$em from

*it$out( %ut e@$i%itig t$em out*ar"!#.

CL. A" t$is is t$e Sese a" 8"ersta"ig of 'o"( to mo/e a!! t$igs a!*a#s.

C. A" t$ere s$a!! e/er %e a# time( *$e a# of t$ese t$igs t$at are( s$a!! fai!( or %e *atig.

45. 1$e I sa# t$e t$igs t$at are( I mea 'o"( for t$e t$igs t$at are( 'o" $at$( a" eit$er is t$ere

a#t$ig *it$out $im( or $e *it$out a#t$ig.

42. T$ese t$igs( O Asc!e:ius( *i!! a::ear to %e true( if t$ou u"ersta" t$em( %ut if t$ou u"ersta" t$em

ot( icre"i%!e.

4. 6or to u"ersta"( is to %e!ie/e( %ut ot to %e!ie/e( is ot to u"ersta"+ 6or m# s:eec$ or *or"s reac$

ot uto t$e Trut$( %ut t$e Mi" is great( a" %eig !e" or co"ucte" for a *$i!e %# S:eec$( is a%!e to

attai to t$e Trut$.

4. A" u"ersta"ig a!! t$igs rou" a%out( a" fi"ig t$em cosoat( a" agreea%!e to t$ose t$igs

t$at *ere "e!i/ere"( a" iterru:te" %# S:eec$( %e!ie/et$( a" i t$at goo" %e!ief restet$.

4C. To t$em( t$erefore( t$at u"ersta" t$e t$igs t$at $a/e %ee sai" of 'o"( t$e# are cre"i%!e( %ut to

t$em t$at u"ersta" t$em ot( icre"i%!e.



44. A" !et t$ese( a" t$us ma# t$igs( %e s:o&e cocerig 8"ersta"ig a" Sese.

T$e E" of t$e T$irteet$ Boo&(

O6 SENSE AND 8NDERSTANDIN'.



THE 6O8RTEENTH BOOK( O6 OPERATION AND SENSE

Tat.

THO8 $as *e!! e@:!aie" t$ese t$igs( 6at$er. Teac$ me furt$ermore t$ese t$igs( for t$ou sa#est( t$atSciece a" Art *ere t$e o:eratios of t$e Ratioa!( %ut o* t$ou sa#est( t$at Beasts are ureasoa%!e(

a" for *at of Reaso( %ot$ are( a" are ca!!e" Brutes( so t$at %# t$is reaso( it must ee"s fo!!o*( t$at

ureasoa%!e 7reatures :arta&e ot of Sciece( or Art( %ecause t$e# come s$ort of Reaso.

. Herm. It must ee"s %e so( So.

. Tat. 1$# t$e( O 6at$er( "o *e see some ureasoa%!e !i/ig 7reatures use %ot$ Sciece a" Art+ as

t$e Pismires treasure u: for t$emse!/es foo" agaist 1iter( a" 6o*!s of t$e Air !i&e*ise ma&e t$em

Nests( a" four>foote" Beasts &o* t$eir o* Des

C. T$ese t$igs t$e# "o( O So( ot %# Sciece or Art( %ut %# Nature+ 6or Sciece a" Art are t$igs t$at

are taug$t( %ut oe of t$ese Brute Beasts are taug$t a# of t$ese t$igs.

4. But t$ese t$igs %eig Natura! uto t$em( are *roug$t %# Nature( *$ereas( Art a" Sciece "o ot

$a::e uto a!!( %ut uto some.

3. As Me are Musitias( %ut ot a!!+ eit$er are a!! Arc$ers( or Hutsme( or t$e rest( %ut some of t$em

$a/e !eare" somet$ig %# t$e *or&ig of Sciece( or Art.

. After t$e same maer a!so( if some Pismires "i" so( a" some ot( t$ou mig$test *e!! sa#( t$e# gat$er

t$eir 6oo" accor"ig to Sciece a" Art.

L. But %eig( t$e# are a!! !e" %# Nature( to t$e same t$ig( e/e agaist t$eir 1i!!s( it is maifest t$e# "o

ot "o it %# Sciece or Art.

. 6or o:eratios( O Tat( %eig u%o"i!# are i Bo"ies( a" *or& %# %o"ies.



25. 1$erefore( O Tat( i as muc$ as t$e# are u%o"i!#( t$ou must ee"s sa#( t$e# are immorta!.

22. But iasmuc$ as t$e# caot act *it$out Bo"ies( I sa# t$e# are a!*a#s i a Bo"#.

2. 6or t$ose t$igs t$at are to a#t$ig( or for t$e cause of a#t$ig ma"e su%9ect to Pro/i"ece or

Necessit#( caot :ossi%!# remai i"!e of t$eir o* :ro:er o:eratio.

2. 6or t$at *$ic$ is( s$a!! e/er %e( for %ot$ t$e Bo"#( a" t$e )ife of it( is t$e same.

2C. A" %# t$is reaso( it fo!!o*s( t$at t$e Bo"ies a!so are a!*a#s( %ecause I affirm0 T$at t$is cor:oreit# is

a!*a#s %# t$e Act a" O:eratio( or for t$em.

24. 6or a!t$oug$ Eart$!# Bo"ies %e su%9ect to "isso!utio( #et t$ese %o"ies must %e t$e P!aces( a" t$e

Orgas( a" Istrumets of Acts or O:eratios.

23. But acts or O:eratios are immorta!( a" t$at *$ic$ is Immorta! is a!*a#s i Act( a" t$erefore a!so

7or:orificatio if it %e a!*a#s.

2. Acts or o:eratios "o fo!!o* t$e Sou!( #et come ot su""e!# or :romiscuous!#+ %ut some of t$em

come toget$er *it$ %eig ma"e ma( %eig a%out %rutis$ or ureasoa%!e t$igs.

2L. But t$e :urer o:eratios "o isesi%!# i t$e c$age of time( *or& *it$ t$e o%!i;ue :art of t$e Sou!.

2. A" t$ese o:eratios "e:e" u:o Bo"ies( a" tru!# t$e# t$at are 7or:orif#ig( come from t$e Di/ie

Bo"ies ito Morta! oes.

5. But e/er# oe of t$em actet$ %ot$ a%out t$e Bo"# a" t$e Sou!( a" are :reset *it$ t$e Sou!( e/e

*it$out t$e Bo"#.



2. A" t$e# are a!*a#s Acts or o:eratios( %ut t$e Sou! is ot a!*a#s i a Morta! Bo"#( for it ca %e

*it$out a Bo"#( %ut Acts or O:eratios caot %e *it$out Bo"ies.

. T$is is a sacre" S:eec$( So+ t$e Bo"# caot cosist *it$out a Sou!.

. Tat. Ho* meaest t$ou t$at( 6at$er

C. Herm. 8"ersta" it t$us( O Tat0 1$e t$e Sou! is se:arate" from t$e Bo"#( t$ere remaiet$ t$at

same %o"#.

4. A" t$is same Bo"#( accor"ig to t$e time of its a%o"e( is actuate"( or o:erate" i t$at it is "isso!/e"a" %ecomes i/isi%!e.

3. A" t$ese t$igs t$e Bo"# caot suffer *it$out act or o:eratio( a" cose;uet!# t$ere remaiet$

*it$ t$e Bo"#( t$e same act or o:eratio.

. T$is t$e is t$e "ifferece %et*ee a Immorta! Bo"# a" a Morta! oe( t$at t$e Immorta! oe

cosists of oe Matter( a" so "ot$ ot t$e Morta! oe( a" t$e immorta! oe "ot$( %ut t$is sufferet$.

L. A" e/er# t$ig t$at actet$ or o:eratet$ is stroger( a" ru!et$( %ut t$at *$ic$ is actuate" or o:erate"(

is ru!e".

. A" t$at *$ic$ ru!et$( "irectet$( a" go/eret$ as free( %ut t$e ot$er is ru!es( a ser/at.

5. Acts or O:eratios( "o ot o!# act or o:erate( !i/ig or %reat$ig( or isou!e" Bo"ies( %ut a!soBreat$!ess Bo"ies( or *it$out Sou!s( 1oo" a" Stoes( a" suc$ !i&e( ecreasig a" %earig fruit(

ri:eig( corru:tig( rottig( :utrif#ig a" %rea&ig( or *or&ig suc$ !i&e t$igs( a" *$atsoe/er

iaimate Bo"ies ca suffer.

2. Act or O:eratio( O So( is ca!!e"( *$atsoe/er is( or is ma"e or "oe( a" t$ere are a!*a#s ma#

t$igs ma"e( or rat$er a!! t$igs.



. 6or t$e 1or!" is e/er *i"o*e" or forsa&e of a# of t$ose t$igs t$at are( %ut %eig a!*a#s carrie"

or mo/e" i itse!f( it is i !a%our to %rig fort$ t$e t$igs t$at are( *$ic$ s$a!! e/er %e !eft %# it to

corru:tio.

. )et( t$erefore( e/er# act or o:eratio %e u"erstoo" to %e a!*a#s immorta!( i *$at maer of Bo"#

soe/er it %e.

C. But some Acts or O:eratios %e of Di/ie( some of corru:ti%!e %o"ies( some ui/ersa!( some :ecu!iar(

a" some of t$e geera!s( a" some of t$e :arts of e/er#t$ig.

4. Di/ie Acts or O:eratios( t$erefore( t$ere %e( a" suc$ as *or& or o:erate u:o t$eir :ro:er Bo"ies(

a" t$ese a!so are :erfect( a" %eig u:o or i :erfect Bo"ies.

3. Particu!ar are t$e# *$ic$ *or& %# a# of t$e !i/ig 7reatures.

. Pro:er %e t$e# t$at *or& u:o a# of t$e t$igs t$at are.

L. B# t$is Discourse( t$erefore( O So( it is gat$ere" t$at a!! t$igs are fu!! of Acts or O:eratios.

. 6or if ecessari!# t$e# %e i e/er# Bo"#( a" t$at t$ere %e ma# Bo"ies i t$e 1or!"( I ma# /er# *e!!

affirm( t$at t$ere %e ma# ot$er Acts or O:eratios.

C5. 6or ma# items i oe Bo"#( t$ere if oe( a" a seco"( a" a t$ir"( %esi"es t$ese ui/ersa! oes t$at

fo!!o*.

C2. A" ui/ersa! o:eratios( I ca!! t$em t$at are i"ee" %o"i!#( a" are "oe %# t$e Seses a" Motios.

C. 6or *it$out t$ese( it is im:ossi%!e t$at t$e Bo"# s$ou!" cosist.



C. But ot$er o:eratios are :ro:er to t$e Sou!s of Me( %# Arts( Scieces( Stu"ies( a" Actios.

CC. T$e Seses a!so fo!!o* t$ese O:eratios( or rat$er are t$e effects or :erfectios of t$em.

C4. 8"ersta"( t$erefore( O So( t$e "ifferece of O:eratios( it is set from a%o/e.

C3. But Sese %eig i t$e Bo"#( a" $a/ig its essece from it( *$e it recei/et$ Act or O:eratio(

maifestet$ it( ma&ig it as it *ere cor:orea!.

C. T$erefore( I sa#( t$at t$e Seses are %ot$ cor:orea! a" morta!( $a/ig so muc$ e@istece as t$e Bo"#(

for t$e# are %or *it$ t$e Bo"#( a" "ie *it$ it.

CL. But morta! t$igs t$emse!/es $a/e ot Sese( as ot cosistig of suc$ a Essece.

C. 6or Sese ca %e of o ot$er t$a a cor:orea! a::re$esio( eit$er of E/i! or 'oo"( t$at comes to t$e

Bo"#.

45. But to E@tera! Bo"ies t$ere is ot$ig comes( ot$ig "e:arts( t$erefore t$ere is o Sese i t$em.

42. Tat. Dot$ t$e Sese t$erefore :ercei/e or a::re$e" i e/er# Bo"#

4. Herm. I e/er# Bo"#( O So.

4. Tat. A" "o t$e Acts or O:eratios *or& i a!! t$igs

4C. Herm. E/e i t$igs iaimate( O So( %ut t$ere are "iffereces of Seses.



44. 6or t$e Seses of t$igs ratioa!( are *it$ Reaso( of t$igs ureasoa%!e( 7or:orea! o!#+ %ut t$e

Seses of t$igs iaimate( are :assi/e o!#( accor"ig to Augmetatio a" Dimiutio.

43. But Passio a" Sese "e:e" %ot$ u:o oe $ea"( or $ig$t( a" are gat$ere" toget$er ito t$e same(

%# Acts or O:eratios.

4. But i !i/ig 1ig$ts( t$ere %e t*o ot$er O:eratios t$at fo!!o* t$e Seses a" Passios( to *it( 'rief

a" P!easure.

4L. A" *it$out t$ese( it is im:ossi%!e t$at a !i/ig 1ig$t( es:ecia!!# a reasoa%!e oe( s$ou!" :ercei/e or

a::re$e".

4. A"( t$erefore( I sa#( t$at t$ese are t$e I"eas of Passios t$at %ear ru!e( es:ecia!!# i reasoa%!e !i/ig

*ig$ts.

35. T$e O:eratios *or& i"ee"( %ut t$e Seses "o "ec!are a" maifest t$e o:eratios( a" t$e# %eig

%o"i!#( are mo/e" %# t$e %rutis$ :arts of t$e Sou!+ t$erefore( I sa#( t$e# are %ot$ ma!ificia!( or "oers of

e/i!.

32. 6or t$at *$ic$ affor"s t$e Sese to re9oice *it$ P!easure( is strig$t*a# t$e cause of ma# e/i!s(

$a::eig to $im t$at suffers it.

3. But sorro* gi/es stroger tormets a" Aguis$( t$erefore( "ou%t!ess( are t$e# %ot$ ma!ificia!.

3. T$e same ma# %e sai" of t$e Sese of t$e Sou!.

3C. Tat. Is ot t$e sou! icor:orea!( a" t$e sese a Bo"#( 6at$er Or is it rat$er i t$e Bo"#

34. Herm. If *e :ut it i a Bo"#( O So( *e s$a!! ma&e it !i&e t$e Sou!( or t$e O:eratios+ for t$ese %eig

u%o"i!#( *e sa# are i Bo"ies.



33. But Sese is eit$er O:eratio( or Sou!( or a#t$ig e!se t$at %e!ogs to t$e Bo"#( %ut as *e $a/e

sai"( a"( t$erefore( it is ot icor:orea!.

3. A" if it %e ot icor:orea!( it must ee"s %e a Bo"#( for *e a!*a#s sa#( t$at of t$igs t$at are( some

are Bo"ies( a" some icor:orea!.

T$e E" of T$e 6ourteet$ Boo&(

O6 OPERATION AND SENSE.



THE 6I6TEENTH BOOK( O6 TR8TH TO HIS SON TAT

Herm.

O6 TR8TH( O Tat( it is ot :ossi%!e t$at ma( %eig a im:erfect 1ig$t( com:ou"e" of Im:erfect

mem%ers( a" $a/ig $is Ta%erac!e( cosistig of "ifferet( a" ma# Bo"ies( s$ou!" s:ea& *it$ a#

7ofi"ece.

. But as far as it is :ossi%!e a" 9ust <I sa#=. T$at Trut$ is o!# i Etera! Bo"ies( *$ose /er# Bo"ies are

a!so True.

. T$e 6ire is fire itse!f o!#( a" ot$ig e!se+ t$e Eart$ is eart$ itse!f( a" ot$ig e!se+ t$e Air is air

itse!f( a" ot$ig e!se+ t$e 1ater( *ater itse!f( a" ot$ig e!se.

C. But our Bo"ies cosist of a!! t$ese( for t$e# $a/e of t$e 6ire( t$e# $a/e of t$e Eart$( t$e# $a/e of t$e

1ater( a" Air( a" #et t$ere is eit$er 6ire( or Eart$( or 1ater( or Air( or a#t$ig true.

4. A" if at t$e %egiig( our 7ostitutio $a" ot Trut$( $o* cou!" me eit$er see t$e Trut$( or s:ea& it(

or u"ersta" it( o!# e@ce:t 'o" *ou!"

3. A!! t$igs( t$erefore( u:o Eart$( O Tat( are ot Trut$( %ut imitatios of t$e Trut$( a" #et ot a!! t$igs

eit$er( for t$e# are %ut fe* t$at are so.

. But t$e ot$er t$igs are 6a!se$oo" a" Deceit( O Tat( a" o:iios( !i&e t$e Images of t$e fac# of

a::earace.

L. A" *$e t$e fac# $at$ a if!uece from a%o/e( t$e it is a imitatio of Trut$( %ut *it$out t$e

o:eratios from a%o/e( it is !eft a !ie.

. A" as a Image s$e*s t$e Bo"# "escri%e"( a" #et it is ot t$e Bo"# of t$at *$ic$ is see( as it seems

to %e( a" it is see to $a/e e#es( %ut it sees ot$ig( a" ears( %ut it $ears ot$ig at a!!( a" a!! ot$er



t$igs $at$ t$e :icture( %ut t$e# are fa!se( "ecei/ig t$e e#es of t$e %e$o!"er( *$i!st t$e# t$i& t$e# see

t$e Trut$( a" #et t$e# are i"ee" %ut !ies.

25. As ma#( t$erefore( as see ot fa!se$oo"( see t$e Trut$.

22. If( t$erefore( *e "o so u"ersta"( a" see e/er# oe of t$ose t$igs as it is( t$e *e see a"

u"ersta" true t$igs.

2. But if *e see or u"ersta" a#t$ig %esi"es( or ot$er*ise( t$a t$at *$ic$ is( *e s$a!! eit$er

u"ersta"( or &o* t$e Trut$.

2. Tat. Is Trut$( t$erefore( u:o Eart$( O 6at$er

2C. Herm. T$ou "ost ot miss t$e mar&( O So+ Trut$ i"ee" is o*$ere at a!! u:o Eart$( O Tat( for it

caot %e geerate"( or ma"e.

24. But cocerig t$e Trut$( it ma# %e t$at some me( to *$om 'o" *i!! gi/e t$e 'oo" seeig :o*er(

ma# u"ersta" it.

23. So t$at uto t$e Mi" a" Reaso( t$ere is ot$ig true i"ee" u:o eart$.

2. But uto t$e true Mi" a" Reaso( a!! t$igs are facies( or a::earaces( a" o:iios.

2L. Tat. Must *e ot( t$erefore( ca!! it Trut$( to u"ersta" a" s:ea& t$e t$igs t$at are

2. Herm. But t$ere is ot$ig true u:o Eart$.

5. Tat. Ho* t$e is t$is true0 t$at *e "o ot &o* a#t$ig true Ho* ca t$at %e "oe $ere



2. Herm. O So( Trut$ is t$e most :erfect Virtue( a" t$e $ig$est 'oo" itse!f( ot trou%!e" %# Matter( ot

ecom:asse" %# a Bo"#( a&e"( c!ear( uc$agea%!e( /eera%!e( ua!tera%!e 'oo".

. But t$e t$igs t$at are $ere( O So( are /isi%!e( ica:a%!e of 'oo"( corru:ti%!e( :assi%!e( "isso!/a%!e(

c$agea%!e( cotiua!!# a!tere"( a" ma"e of aot$er.

. T$e t$igs t$erefore t$at are ot true to t$emse!/es( $o* ca t$e# %e true

C. 6or e/er#t$ig t$at is a!tere"( is a !ie( ot a%i"ig i *$at it is( %ut %eig c$age" it s$e*s us a!*a#s(

ot$er a" ot$er a::earaces.

4. Tat. Is ot ma true( O 6at$er

3. Herm. As far fort$ as $e is a ma( $e is ot true( So( for t$at *$ic$ is true( $at$ of itse!f a!oe its

costitutio( a" remais a" a%i"es accor"ig to itse!f( suc$ as it is.

. But ma cosists of ma# t$igs( a" "ot$ ot a%i"e of $imse!f( %ut is ture" a" c$age"( age afterage( I"ea after I"ea( or form after form( a" t$is *$i!e $e is #et i t$e Ta%erac!e.

L. A" ma# $a/e ot &o* t$eir o* c$i!"re after a !itt!e *$i!e( a" ma# c$i!"re !i&e*ise $a/e ot

&o* t$eir o* Parets.

. Is it t$e :ossi%!e( O Tat( t$at $e *$o is so c$age"( as is ot to %e &o*( s$ou!" %e true No( o t$e

cotrar#( $e is 6a!se$oo"( %eig i ma# A::earace of c$ages.

5. But "o t$ou u"ersta" t$e True to %e t$at *$ic$ a%i"es t$e Same( a" is Etera!( %ut ma is ot e/er(

t$erefore ot True( %ut ma is a certai a::earace( a" A::earace is t$e $ig$est )ie or 6a!se$oo".

2. Tat. But t$ese etera! %o"ies( 6at$er( are t$e# ot true( t$oug$ t$e# %e c$age"



. Herm. E/er#t$ig t$at is %egotte( or ma"e( a" c$age"( is ot true+ %ut %eig ma"e %# our

Progeitor( t$e# mig$t $a/e $a" true matter.

. But t$ese a!so $a/e i t$emse!/es( somet$ig t$at is fa!se( i regar" to t$eir c$age.

C. 6or ot$ig t$at remais ot i itse!f( is true.

4. Tat. 1$at s$a!! oe sa# t$e( 6at$er( t$at o!# t$e su( *$ic$ %esi"es t$e Nature of ot$er t$igs( is ot

c$age"( %ut a%i"es i itse!f( is Trut$

3. Herm. It is Trut$( a" t$erefore is $e o!# itruste" *it$ t$e 1or&mas$i: of t$e 1or!"( ru!ig a"

ma&ig a!! t$igs( *$om I "o %ot$ $oour( a" a"ore $is Trut$+ a" after t$e Oe( a" 6irst( I

ac&o*!e"ge $im t$e 1or&ma.

. Tat. 1$at( t$erefore( "ost t$ou affirm to %e t$e first Trut$( O 6at$er

L. Herm. T$e Oe a" O!#( O Tat( t$at is ot of Matter( t$at is ot i a Bo"#( t$at is *it$out co!our(*it$out 6igure( or S$a:e( Immuta%!e( 8a!tera%!e( *$ic$ a!*a#s is( %ut 6a!se$oo"( O So( is corru:te".

. A" corru:tio $at$ !ai" $o!" u:o a!! t$igs o Eart$( a" t$e Pro/i"ece of t$e True ecom:asset$(

a" *i!! ecom:ass t$em.

C5. 6or *it$out corru:tio t$ere ca o geeratio cosist.

C2. 6or corru:tio fo!!o*et$ e/er# geeratio( t$at it ma# agai %e geerate".

C. 6or t$ose t$igs t$at are geerate"( must of ecessit# %e geerate" of t$ose t$igs t$at are corru:te"(

a" t$e t$igs geerate" must ee"s %e corru:te"( t$at t$e 'eeratio of t$igs %eig( ma# ot sta" sti!!

or cease.



C. Ac&o*!e"ge( t$erefore( t$e first 1or&ma( %# t$e 'eeratio of t$igs.

CC. 7ose;uet!# t$e t$igs t$at are geerate" of 7orru:tio are fa!se( as %eig sometimes oe t$ig(sometimes aot$er0 6or it is im:ossi%!e( t$e# s$ou!" %e ma"e t$e same t$igs agai( a" t$at *$ic$ is ot

t$e same( $o* is it true

C4. T$erefore( O So( *e must ca!! t$ese t$igs facies or a::earaces.

C3. A" if *e *i!! gi/e a ma $is rig$t ame( *e must ca!! $im t$e a::earace of Ma$oo"+ a" a c$i!"(

t$e fac# or a::earace of a c$i!"+ a o!" ma( t$e fac# or a::earace of a o!" ma+ a #oug ma( t$e

a::earace of a #oug ma+ a" a ma of ri:e age( t$e a::earace of a ma of ri:e age.

C. 6or eit$er is a ma( a ma( or a c$i!"( a c$i!"( or a #oug ma( #oug ma( or a o!" ma( a o!"

ma.

CL. But t$e t$igs t$at :re>e@ist( a" t$at are( %eig c$age"( are fa!se.

C. T$ese t$igs( u"ersta" t$us( O So( as t$ese fa!se o:eratios( $a/ig t$eir "e:e"ece from a%o/e(

e/e of t$e Trut$ itse!f.

45. 1$ic$ %eig so( I "o affirm( t$at 6a!se$oo" is t$e 1or& of t$e Trut$.

T$e E" of t$e 6ifteet$ Boo&(

O6 TR8TH TO HIS SON TAT.



THE SIXTEENTH BOOK( THAT NONE O6 THE THIN'S THAT ARE 7AN PERISH

Herm.

1E must o* s:ea& of t$e Sou! a" %o"#( O So( after *$at maer t$e sou! is Immorta!( a" *$at

o:eratio t$at is( *$ic$ costitutes t$e Bo"#( a" "isso!/es it.

. But i oe of t$ese is Deat$( for it is a coce:tio of a ame( *$ic$ is eit$er a em:t# *or"( or e!se it

is *rog!# ca!!e" Deat$ ( %# ta&ig a*a# t$e first !etter( istea" of Immorta! .

. 6or Deat$ is "estructio( %ut t$ere is ot$ig i t$e *$o!e 1or!" t$at is "estro#e".

C. 6or if t$e 1or!" %e a seco" 'o"( a" a Immorta! !i/ig 1ig$t( it is im:ossi%!e t$at a# :art of a

Immorta! !i/ig 1ig$t s$ou!" "ie.

4. But a!! t$igs t$at are i t$e 1or!"( are mem%ers of t$e 1or!"( es:ecia!!# ma( t$e reasoa%!e !i/ig

1ig$t.

3. 6or t$e first of a!! is 'o"( t$e Etera!( t$e 8ma"e( a" t$e 1or&ma of a!! t$igs.

. T$e seco" is t$e 1or!"( ma"e %# $im( after $is o* Image( a" %# $im $o!"e toget$er( a"

ouris$e"( a" immorta!i?e"( a" as from its o* 6at$er( e/er !i/ig.

L. So t$at as Immorta!( it is e/er !i/ig( a" e/er immorta!.

. 6or t$at *$ic$ is e/er !i/ig( "iffers from t$at *$ic$ is etera!.

25. 6or t$e Etera! *as ot %egotte( or ma"e %# aot$er( a" if it *ere %egotte or ma"e( #et it *as ma"e

%# itse!f( ot %# a# ot$er( %ut it is a!*a#s ma"e.



22. 6or t$e Etera!( as it is Etera!( is t$e 8i/erse.

2. 6or t$e 6at$er $imse!f( is Etera! of $imse!f( %ut t$e 1or!" *as ma"e %# t$e 6at$er( e/er !i/ig( a"immorta!.

2. A" as muc$ Matter as t$ere *as !ai" u: %# $im( t$e 6at$er ma"e it a!! ito a Bo"#( a" s*e!!ig it(

ma"e it rou" !i&e a S:$ere( e"ue" it *it$ ua!it#( %eig itse!f immorta!( a" $a/ig Etera! Materia!it#.

2C. T$e 6at$er %eig fu!! of I"eas( so*e" ;ua!ities i t$e S:$eres( a" s$ut t$em u: as i a 7irc!e(

"e!i%eratig to %eautif# *it$ e/er# ua!it#( t$at *$ic$ after*ar"s s$ou!" %e ma"e.

24. T$e c!ot$ig t$e 8i/ersa! Bo"# *it$ Immorta!it#( !est t$e Matter( if it *ou!" "e:art from t$is

7om:ositio( s$ou!" %e "isso!/e" ito its o* "isor"er.

23. 6or *$e t$e Matter *as Icor:orate"( O So( it *as "isor"ere"( a" it $at$ $ere t$e same cofusio

"ai!# re/o!/e" a%out ot$er !itt!e t$igs( e"ue" *it$ ua!ities( i :oit of Augmetatio( a" Dimiutio(

*$ic$ me ca!! Deat$( %eig i"ee" a "isor"er $a::eig a%out eart$!# !i/ig 1ig$ts.

2. 6or t$e Bo"ies of Hea/e!# t$igs( $a/e oe or"er( *$ic$ t$e# $a/e recei/e" from t$e 6at$er at t$e

%egiig( a" is %# t$e istauratio of eac$ of t$em( &e:t i"isso!/ea%!e.

2L. But t$e istauratio of eart$!# Bo"ies is t$eir cosistece( a" t$eir "isso!utio restores t$em ito

i"isso!/ea%!e( t$at is( Immorta!.

2. A" so t$ere is ma"e a :ri/atio of Sese( %ut ot a "estructio of Bo"ies.

5. No* t$e t$ir" !i/ig 1ig$t is Ma( ma"e after t$e Image of t$e 1or!"( a" $a/ig %# t$e *i!! of t$e

6at$er( a mi" a%o/e ot$er eart$!# 1ig$ts.



2. A" $e $at$ ot o!# a s#m:at$# *it$ t$e seco" 'o"( %ut a!so a u"ersta"ig of t$e first.

. 6or t$e Seco" 'o"( $e a::re$e"s as a Bo"#( %ut t$e first( $e u"ersta"s as Icor:orea!( a" t$e

Mi" of t$e 'oo".

. Tat. A" "ot$ ot t$is !i/ig 1ig$t :eris$

C. Herm. S:ea& a"/ise"!#( O So( a" !ear *$at 'o" is( *$at t$e 1or!"( *$at a Immorta! 1ig$t( a"

*$at a "isso!/ea%!e oe is.

4. A" u"ersta" t$at t$e 1or!" is of 'o"( a" i 'o"( %ut Ma of t$e 1or!"( a" i t$e 1or!".

3. T$e Begiig( a" E"( a" 7osistece of a!!( is 'o".

T$e E" of t$e Si@teet$ Boo&(

THAT NONE O6 THE THIN'S THAT ARE 7AN PERISH.



THE SEVENTEENTH BOOK( TO AS7)EPI8S( TO BE TR8)Y 1ISE

BE7A8SE( m# So( Tat( i t$# a%sece( *ou!" ee"s !ear t$e Nature of t$e t$igs t$at are( $e *ou!" ot

suffer me to gi/e o/er <as comig /er# #oug to t$e &o*!e"ge of e/er# i"i/i"ua!=( ti!! I *as force" to

"iscourse to $im ma# t$igs at !arge( t$at $is cotem:!atio mig$t( from :oit to :oit( %e more eas# a"

successfu!.

. But to t$ee( I $a/e t$oug$t goo" to *rite i fe* *or"s( c$oosig out t$e :rici:a! $ea"s of t$e t$igs

t$e s:o&e( a" to iter:ret t$em more m#stica!!#( %ecause t$ou $ast %ot$ more #ears( a" more

&o*!e"ge of Nature.

. A!! t$igs t$at a::ear( *ere ma"e( a" are ma"e.

C. T$ose t$igs t$at are ma"e( are ot ma"e %# t$emse!/es( %ut %# aot$er.

4. A" t$ere are ma# t$igs ma"e( %ut es:ecia!!# a!! t$igs t$at a::ear( a" *$ic$ are "ifferet( a" ot

!i&e.

3. If t$e t$igs t$at %e ma"e a" "oe( %e ma"e a" "oe %# aot$er( t$ere must %e oe t$at must ma&e(a" "o t$em( a" $e( uma"e( a" more aciet t$a t$e t$igs t$at are ma"e.

. 6or I affirm t$e t$igs t$at are ma"e( to %e ma"e %# aot$er( a" it is im:ossi%!e( t$at of t$e t$igs t$at

are ma"e( a# s$ou!" %e more aciet t$a a!!( %ut o!# t$at *$ic$ is ot ma"e.

L. He is stroger( a" oe( a" o!# &o*ig a!! t$igs i"ee"( as ot $a/ig a#t$ig more aciet t$a

$imse!f.

. 6or $e %ears ru!e( %ot$ o/er mu!titu"e a" greatess( a" t$e "i/ersit# of t$e t$igs t$at are ma"e( a"

t$e cotiuit# of t$e 6acture( a" of t$e O:eratio.



25. Moreo/er( t$e t$igs t$at are ma"e( are /isi%!e( %ut $e is i/isi%!e( a" for t$is cause( $e ma&et$ t$em(

t$at $e ma# %e /isi%!e( a" t$erefore $e ma&es t$em a!*a#s.

22. T$us( it is fit to u"ersta"( a" u"ersta"ig to a"mire( a" a"mirig to t$i& t$#se!f $a::#( t$at

&o*est t$# atura! 6at$er.

2. 6or *$at is s*eeter t$a a atura! 6at$er

2. 1$o( t$erefore( is t$is( or $o* s$a!! *e &o* $im

2C. Or is it 9ust to ascri%e uto $im a!oe( t$e Tit!e a" A::e!!atio of 'o"( or of t$e Ma&er or of t$e6at$er( or a!! T$ree T$at of 'o" %ecause of $is Po*er+ t$e Ma&er( %ecause of $is 1or&ig a"

O:eratio+ a" t$e 6at$er %ecause of $is 'oo"ess.

24. 6or Po*er is "ifferet from t$e t$igs t$at are ma"e( %ut Act or O:eratio i t$at a!! t$igs are ma"e.

23. 1$erefore( !ettig go a!! muc$ a" /ai ta!&ig( *e must u"ersta" t$ese t*o t$igs0 T$at *$ic$ is

ma"e( a" $im *$ic$ is t$e Ma&er+ for t$ere is ot$ig i t$e Mi""!e( %et*ee t$ese T*o( or is t$ere a#

t$ir".

2. T$erefore( u"ersta"ig A!! t$igs( remem%er t$ese T*o+ a" t$i& t$at t$ese are A!! t$igs( :uttig

ot$ig ito "ou%t+ eit$er of t$e t$igs a%o/e( or of t$e t$igs %e!o*+ eit$er of t$igs c$agea%!e( or

t$igs t$at are i "ar&ess or secret.

2L. 6or A!! t$igs( are %ut T*o t$igs( T$at *$ic$ ma&et$( a" t$at *$ic$ is ma"e+ a" t$e Oe of t$em

caot "e:art( or %e "i/i"e" from t$e ot$er.

2. 6or eit$er is it :ossi%!e t$at t$e Ma&er s$ou!" %e *it$out t$e t$ig ma"e( for eit$er of t$em is t$e

se!f>same t$ig+ t$erefore caot t$e oe of t$em %e se:arate" from t$e ot$er( o more t$a a t$ig ca %e

se:arate" from itse!f.



5. 6or if $e t$at ma&es %e ot$ig e!se %ut t$at *$ic$ ma&es a!oe( sim:!e( ucom:ou"e"( it is of

ecessit#( t$at $e ma&es t$e same t$ig to $imse!f( to *$om it is t$e 'eeratio of $im t$at ma&et$ to %e

a!so A!! t$at is ma"e.

2. 6or t$at *$ic$ is 'eerate" or ma"e( must ecessari!# %e geerate" or ma"e %# aot$er( %ut *it$out

t$e ma&er( t$at *$ic$ is ma"e( eit$er is ma"e( or is+ for t$e oe of t$em *it$out t$e ot$er( $as !ost $is

:ro:er Nature %# t$e :ri/atio of t$e ot$er.

. So if t$ese T*o %e cofesse"( T$at *$ic$ ma&et$( a" t$at *$ic$ is ma"e( t$e t$e# are Oe i

8io( t$is goig %efore( a" t$at fo!!o*ig.

. A" t$at *$ic$ goet$ %efore( is( 'o" t$e Ma&er+ a" t$at *$ic$ fo!!o*s( is( t$at *$ic$ is ma"e( %e it

*$at it *i!!.

C. A" !et o ma %e afrai" %ecause of t$e /ariet# of t$igs t$at are ma"e or "oe( !est $e s$ou!" case a

as:ersio of %aseess( or ifam# u:o 'o"+ for it is t$e o!# '!or# of $im to "o( or ma&e a!! t$igs.

4. A" t$is ma&ig( or 6acture( is as it *ere t$e Bo"# of 'o"+ a" to $im t$at ma&et$( or "ot$( t$ere is

ot$ig e/i! or fi!t$# to %e im:ute"( or t$ere is ot$ig t$oug$t e/i!( or fi!t$#.

3. 6or t$ese are Passios t$at fo!!o* 'eeratio( as Rust "ot$ 7o::er( or as E@cremets "o t$e Bo"#.

. But eit$er "i" t$e 7o::ersmit$ ma&e t$e Rust( or t$e Ma&er of t$e 6i!t$( or 'o" t$e E/i!ess.

L. But t$e /icissitu"e of 'eeratio "ot$ ma&e t$em( as it *ere( to %!ossom out+ a" for t$is cause "i"ma&e c$age to %e( as oe s$ou!" sa#( T$e Purgatio of 'eeratio.

. Moreo/er( is it !a*fu! for t$e same Paiter to ma&e %ot$ Hea/e( a" t$e 'o"s( a" t$e Eart$( a" t$e

Sea( a" Me( a" %rute Beasts( a" iaimate t$igs( a" Trees+ a" is it im:ossi%!e for 'o" to ma&e

t$ese t$igs O t$e great ma"ess( a" igorace of me i t$igs t$at cocer 'o"



5. 6or me t$at t$i& so( suffer t$at *$ic$ is most ri"icu!ous of a!!+ for :rofessig to %!ess( a" :raise

'o"( #et i ot ascri%ig to $im t$e ma&ig or "oig of A!! t$igs( t$e# &o* $im o*.

2. A" %esi"es t$eir ot &o*ig $im( t$e# are e@treme!# im:ious agaist $im( attri%utig uto $im

Passios( as Pri"e( or O/ersig$t( or 1ea&ess( or Igorace( or E/#.

. 6or if $e "o ot ma&e( or "o a!! t$igs( $e is eit$er :rou"( or ot a%!e( or igorat( or e/ious( *$ic$ is

im:ious to affirm.

. 6or go" $at$ o!# oe Passio( ame!#( 'oo"+ a" $e t$at is goo"( is eit$er :rou"( or im:otet( or

t$e rest( %ut 'o" is 'oo" itse!f.

C. 6or 'oo" is a!! Po*er( to "o or ma&e a!! t$igs( a" e/er#t$ig t$at is ma"e( is ma"e %# 'o"( t$at is(

%# t$e 'oo"( a" t$at ca ma&e or "o a!! t$igs.

4. See( t$e( $o* $e ma&et$ a!! t$igs( a" $o* t$e t$igs are "oe( t$at are "oe( a" if t$ou *i!t !ear(

t$ou ma#est see a Image t$ereof( /er# %eautifu! a" !i&e.

3. )oo& u:o t$e Hus%a"ma( $o* $e castet$ see"s ito t$e Eart$( $ere *$eat( t$ere %ar!e#( a"

e!se*$ere some ot$er see"s.

the divine pymander

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