DiotimosReading Desk

Explained supporting records

Confession, thanks, and obedience

erkenne vnd bekenne; Danck; Lehre folgen

Acknowledging, confessing, thanking and obeying structure the Nature dialogue as a change in the alchemist’s position.

From the book

The Sophic Hydrolith, Water Stone of the Wise

Anonymous and companion authors · Diotimos Editions · 2026

Browse this book’s lexicon →

Meaning

Acknowledging, confessing, thanking and obeying structure the Nature dialogue as a change in the alchemist’s position. Nature first offers the example of obedient sons. His answering speech then recognizes her delegated authority, and his conclusion declares his previous work worthless and commits him to her teaching. These are stages in a dialogue, not uninterrupted assertions by Nature herself.

Erkenne vnd bekenne is stronger than merely noticing: the paired verbs make recognition a spoken admission. Danck expresses indebtedness for instruction and promised inheritance. ‘Follow your teaching’ turns that admission towards future conduct, but does not show that the promised tincture has already been obtained or independently establish the success of the revised work.

Places to read

  1. Nature’s Demonstration to the Erring Alchemist · unit 13The alchemist begins his reply by acknowledging Nature’s authority and his errors.
  2. Nature’s Demonstration to the Erring Alchemist · unit 10Nature praises sons who followed father and mother and obeyed her commands.
  3. Nature’s Demonstration to the Erring Alchemist · unit 21The alchemist closes by thanking Nature and resolving to follow her teaching.

Attested forms

erkenne vnd bekenne; gehorchet; Gebotten; Danck; Lehre folgen