The Secret Work of the Hermetic Philosophy

Name: The Secret Work of the Hermetic Philosophy
Author: Attributed to Jean d’Espagnet

A Fresh English Translation from the Complete 1623 Latin Arcanum

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The Secret Work of the Hermetic PhilosophyThe 138 Canons · English

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The 138 Canons · English

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Latin

Huius doctrinae studiosus omnibus pravis motibus animum exuat, superbiâ potissimum, quae Caeli abominatio est, & inferni ianua: precibus frequenter vaccet: charitatis opera exerceat: rebus Mundi parum inhaereat: hominum conventus fugiat: constanti tranquillitate potiatur: ut Mens in solitudine liberius ratiocinari, & sublimius attolli possit: nisi enim divini luminis radio accensa veritatis arcana non penetrabit.

English

Let the student of this teaching strip his mind of every corrupt impulse, especially pride, which is an abomination to heaven and the gate of hell. Let him give frequent time to prayer, perform works of charity, cling little to worldly affairs, avoid gatherings of people, and possess a steady tranquillity. In solitude the mind may then reason more freely and rise to greater heights; for unless it is kindled by a ray of divine light, it will not penetrate the secrets of truth.

About This Reading Edition

The complete anonymous 1623 Arcanum, conventionally attributed to Jean d’Espagnet, with Latin and a fresh English translation, 138 canons, original marginalia and errata, 88 modern annotations, separately identified historical reception documents, and the complete supplied Diotimos study apparatus.

Historical Text and Translation

Anonymous, Arcanum hermeticæ philosophiæ opus. Paris: Nicolas Buon, 1623. Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon copy, digitised by Google Books, uJNr_M9LDGgC. Conventionally attributed to Jean d’Espagnet; the original title page is anonymous.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

Historical texts are public-domain works. The supplied 2026 fresh English translation, Latin reading transcription and Diotimos editorial material are published with the site owner’s authorization. The historical Signifer is credited to the Getty Research Institute copy and Internet Archive.