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Three Initiates

The Kybalion

An Annotated Reading Edition

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The KybalionXV Hermetic Axioms · Part 3

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XV Hermetic Axioms · Part 3

The Kybalion

p. 60

"The wise ones serve on the higher, but rule on the lower. They obey the laws coming from above them, But on their own plane, and those below them they rule and give orders. And, yet, in so doing, they form a part of the Principle, instead of opposing it. The wise man falls in with the Law, and by understanding its movements he operates it instead of being its blind slave. Just as does the skilled swimmer turn this way and that way, going and coming as he will, instead of being as the log which is carried here and there—so is the wise man as compared to the ordinary man—and yet both swimmer and log; wise man and fool, are subject to Law. He who understands this is well on the road to Mastery."—The Kybalion.

In conclusion let us again call your attention to the Hermetic Axiom:

"True Hermetic Transmutation is a Mental Art."—The Kybalion.

In the above axiom, the Hermetists teach that the great work of influencing one's environment is accomplished by Mental Power. The Universe being wholly mental, it follows that it may be ruled only by Mentality. And in this truth is to be found an explanation of all the phenomena and manifestations of the various mental powers which are attracting so much attention and study in these earlier years of the Twentieth Century. Back of and under the teachings of the various cults and schools, remains ever constant the Principle of the Mental Substance of the Universe. If the Universe be Mental in its substantial nature, then it follows that Mental Transmutation must change the conditions and phenomena of the Universe. If the Universe is Mental, then Mind must be the highest power affecting its phenomena. If this be understood then all the so-called "miracles" and "wonder-workings" are seen plainly for what they are.

"THE ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental."—The Kybalion.

FINIS

60

About This Reading Edition

The complete English text of The Kybalion, with its seven Hermetic principles, an introduction, 182 explanatory notes, key words, a chapter outline, and a glossary.

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Historical Text

Three Initiates, The Kybalion, first published in Chicago in 1908. The supplied annotated edition follows Project Gutenberg ebook 14209, whose reproduced preliminaries carry a 1912 copyright notice; it does not claim a verified transcription of the first printing.

About This Edition

Complete historical English text with an introduction, 182 annotations, key words, chapter outline, glossary and sources; Diotimos Editions, 2026.

Rights

The historical English text is in the public domain in the United States. The introduction, notes, key words, outline, glossary, sources and editorial arrangement are © 2026 Diotimos Editions and are published with the site owner’s authorization.