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Anonymous

The Sophic Hydrolith

Water Stone of the Wise

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The Sophic HydrolithConclusion

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English Page · Branch 146 of 287

Conclusion

German & Latin

1619 pp. 143–144 · scans ER147, ER148

Ich rede aber hier nur allein von der wahrhafften natur gemeeß künstlichen Alchimia/ die da fürnemlich vnter andern/ wie das böse vnnd vnreine von dem guten vnnd reinen zu erkennen vnnd zu vnderscheiden sey/ lehret/ durch welches man als dann hernach der gebrechlichen vnnd schadhafften Natur zu hülff kommen/ vnnd rechte beförderung erzeigen kan: Die dann in augmentirung der metallen ebenmässig/ als wann du etwan einer frucht zur zeitigung/ so durch vnfall gar reiff zu werden verhindert worden/ hülff beweisen/ oder auß einem körnlein oder Saamen vielfeltige vermehrung zu vberkommen begehren woltest/ zu vergleichen ist/ welches alles mit schlechtem vnnd geringem Kosten gearbeitet/ vnnd verrichtet werden kan. Auff die andere Sophistische arg oder Alchimistische Kunst/ verstehe ich mich gar nichts/ begere sie auch nicht zu lernen. Dann mir jhre Meister gar zu viel krumme weg in derselben fürweisen/ vnd gantz güldene Berg/ die etwan gar zu weith entlegen seind/ vergeblich verheissen mögen: zu dem auch solche falsche Argchimisten Kunst nichts bestendiges giebt/ vnnd nur grosse Kosten/ vergebliche mühe/ vnd letzlichen auch wohl leib vnd Leben darauff gehen thut.

1619 pp. 143–144 · scans ER147, ER148

The Sophic Hydrolith: Conclusion

1619 pp. 143–144 · scans ER147, ER148

Here I speak solely of true, skilful alchemy according to Nature. Among other things, it chiefly teaches how to recognise and distinguish the bad and impure from the good and pure, so that afterwards one can assist weak and damaged Nature and give it proper furtherance. In the increase of metals this may be compared with helping a fruit to ripen when some accident has prevented it from becoming fully ripe, or seeking to obtain manifold increase from a little grain or seed. All this can be worked and accomplished at plain and modest expense. I understand nothing of the other sophistical arch- or alchemical art, nor do I wish to learn it. Its masters show me far too many crooked paths and vainly promise whole mountains of gold that may lie far too distant. Moreover, such false arch-alchemical art yields nothing lasting, while great expense, fruitless labour and at last perhaps body and life are consumed by it.

1619 pp. 143–144 · scans ER147, ER148

About This Reading Edition

The anonymous Water Stone of the Wise of 1619, with German text, a new English translation, 240 annotations, three companion treatises from the original volume, two separately identified responses of 1661, and the complete supplied study apparatus.

Historical Text and Translation

Anonymous, Wasserstein der Weysen. Frankfurt: Lucas Jennis, 1619. The governing e-rara copy belongs to the Stiftung der Werke von C. G. Jung, Zürich (DOI 10.3931/e-rara-8968). The work is traditionally attributed to Johann Siebmacher; this remains an attribution, not a name printed in the anonymous witness. The separately sourced First and Second Responses use the 1661 Wolfenbüttel witness, qun-642-1s, pp. 200–206.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

Historical texts printed in 1619 and 1661 are in the public domain. The supplied 2026 German reading text, new English translation, introduction, notes and complete study apparatus are published with the site owner’s authorization. The original triangle is credited to the Stiftung der Werke von C. G. Jung, Zürich, and e-rara, Public Domain Mark.