Sal Lumen and Spiritus Mundi Philosophici

Pico della Mirandola, considered in his time a marvel of learning, speaks of these books with very great reverence. Here are his words: ‘These’, he says, ‘are the seventy books of the cabala, in which Esdras rightly declared that sight, understanding and the source reside: that is, the inestimable theology of the supreme divinity; the fountain of wisdom; the entire metaphysics of the intelligences; the river of knowledge—that is, the most firmly grounded philosophy of natural things. After these books had long remained hidden, Pope Sixtus, the fourth of that name, had their translation into Latin begun for the benefit of our religion; but this good work was interrupted by his death. Nevertheless, they are held in such esteem and reverence among the Hebrews that no one may touch them before reaching forty years of age. It is a marvellous thing that this cabalistic doctrine, together with its decrees, contains certain points of Christianity.’ All this is taken word for word from the writings of that renowned Count of Mirandola. Now, having in my judgement omitted nothing necessary to the design I set myself—to interpret according to my own understanding the contents of Hermes’ table, which is an obscure philosophical cabala—I shall withdraw from this ocean of marvels to dry myself in the rays of the Sun of your favours, bidding Your Highness farewell and proving by legitimate reasons that true philosophy is the happiness, honour and glory of the whole world.