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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition

Anonymous

The Sophic Hydrolith

Water Stone of the Wise

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The Sophic HydrolithOpening Explanation

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German & Latin Page · Branch 20 of 287

Opening Explanation

German & Latin

1619 pp. 10 · scans ER014

Ihr Alchimisten mich verstehe / Im Grieschen Alphabeth / Ist ein Buchstab / jhr gleich Π also / Stehet sonsten auch anderwo / Gedencket stets an solchen fein / Betrieget nicht mit falschem schein / Durch ewer Kunst so manchen Mann / Fürwahr jhr werd sonst sterben dran. Item. Vor Goldtmachern vnd Alchimisten / Die das Geldt distillirn auß Beutel vnd Soll man sich hüten vnd zuschawẽ (Kisten /) Bey leib jhnen nicht zu viel vertrawen / Wann mann anders nicht will in schaden / Darzu in spott vnd rew thun baden. Folg denen / die da seind gerecht / Auffrichtig / fromm / einfältig / schlecht / Nicht ruhmrächtig / vnd doch was können / Mit solchen kanstu guts gern spinnen / Ja wo findet man aber diese: Suchs / gleichwol / sie seindt eben tewer. Vnd nicht gar wohl gerathen hewer. Auch gilt an solchen ein quintlein schwer Mehr dann der andern ein Centner.

1619 pp. 10 · scans ER014

The Sophic Hydrolith: Opening Explanation

1619 pp. 10 · scans ER014

You alchemists, understand me: In the Greek alphabet There is a letter, just like Π, Which also appears elsewhere. Keep it always well in mind. Do not deceive so many people With the false appearance of your art: Truly, otherwise you will die for it. Again: Beware of gold-makers and alchemists Who distil money out of purses and chests. Watch them closely, and for your life Do not put too much trust in them, Unless you wish to suffer loss And bathe as well in mockery and regret. Follow those who are just, Upright, devout, simple and plain, Who do not boast, yet know their craft: With such people you can readily spin something good. But where are these to be found? Seek them nevertheless: they are dear, And have not turned out very well this year. A single quint of these is worth more Than a hundredweight of the others.

1619 pp. 10 · scans ER014

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.