The Secret Work of the Hermetic Philosophy

60In giving form to her works and carrying them out, nature proceeds from the beginning of generation through various intermediate stages, as though by steps, bringing a thing to the final limit of perfection. Thus she reaches her intended end little by little and step by step, not by a leap. She defines and encloses her work between two extremes, distinguished and separated by several intermediates, as though by intervals. Philosophical practice, which is nature's ape, must not depart from nature's path and example in conducting its work and directing its search for the blessed stone. For whatever is done beyond nature's bounds is either error or close to error.