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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition

Attributed to Abraham the Jew

The Manly Hall Manuscript Collection, Volume I

Book of Hieroglyphic Figures

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The Manly Hall Manuscript Collection, Volume IThe First Figure and Preparation · Manuscript 14r · Scan 45

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French Page · Branch 39 of 351

The First Figure and Preparation · Manuscript 14r · Scan 45

French

Ms. 14r

le nom et le titre d'astrologue, de philosophe, de médecin et de sage; qu'il se glorifie d'avoir une véritable connaissance, par les causes, et non par les effets et de pouvoir par son art et son industrie, finir en peu de temps ce qui coûte à la nature plusieurs centaines et milliers d'années dans ses opérations.

Qui empêche qu'avec une connaissance parfaite de ces causes et de ces principes, l'on n'examine la manière de faire des pierreries, des perles et des métaux parfaits et que l'on ne découvre une infinité d'arts? Peu de personnes parviennent à cette vérité, s'ils n'ont l'esprit subtil et pénétrant. D'ailleurs, tout est facile et aisé à celui à qui Dieu a révélé ces principes naturels, et tout ne consiste qu'en une chose, après l'acquisition de laquelle il ne lui reste rien à chercher, et il n'a besoin que du silence de Pythagore et d'Hippocrate.

Nous voulons cependant vous avertir surtout de connaître l'ajustement et la convenance d'une chose qui donne la naissance à tout ce que vous voyez, parce que tout est renfermé dans cette seule chose comme elle est renfermée dans tout. Ce qui donc vous sera

Ms. 14r

The Manly Hall Manuscript Collection, Volume I: The First Figure and Preparation

Ms. 14r

the name and title of astrologer, philosopher, physician and sage. Let him take pride in having a true knowledge through causes, rather than effects, and in being able, through his art and industry, to complete in a short time what costs nature many hundreds and thousands of years in her operations.

What prevents someone with a perfect knowledge of these causes and principles from examining how to make precious stones, pearls and perfect metals, and from discovering an infinity of arts? Few people reach this truth unless their minds are subtle and penetrating. Besides, everything is easy and readily accomplished for the person to whom God has revealed these natural principles. Everything consists in a single thing; once he has acquired it, nothing remains for him to seek, and he needs only the silence of Pythagoras and Hippocrates.

Nevertheless, we wish above all to urge you to understand the fitting together and correspondence of a thing that gives birth to everything you see. For everything is enclosed in this single thing, just as it is enclosed in everything. Whatever, therefore, will be

Ms. 14r

About This Reading Edition

The first manuscript in the Manly Palmer Hall collection at the Getty Research Institute: the Book of Hieroglyphic Figures, presented in French and English with 463 explanatory notes, 13 manuscript plates, 25 source details, an introduction, chapter outline, glossary, bibliography, and register of readings.

Historical Text and Translation

Book of Hieroglyphic Figures (Livre des figures hiéroglyphiques), attributed in the witness to Abraham the Jew. Getty Research Institute, Manly Palmer Hall collection of alchemical manuscripts, accession 950053, Box 1, Hogart manuscript 3; French witness catalogued circa 1800. Manly Palmer Hall is the collector, not the author.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The circa 1800 source manuscript is public domain. The supplied 2026 French reading transcription, English translation, introduction, notes, outline, glossary, register, and editorial arrangement are published with the site owner’s authorization. Source photographs are credited to the Getty Research Institute and Internet Archive in the supplied edition.