Possession, use, and self-preparation · Lexicon

From the book

The Sophic Hydrolith, Water Stone of the Wise

Anonymous and companion authors · Diotimos Editions · 2026

Orientation

At a Glance

The wordHaving, obtaining, using and personally preparing are distinct acts.
In the Sophic HydrolithPart III: benefits and their rank · unit 2 introduces benefits only when the stone has reached its desired end.
In this editionThe English preserves ‘they themselves made and prepared’, which is the exact scope of the main author’s denial, and ‘I do not intend to dispute here’, which marks what remains undecided.
A place to readThe main encomium attributes comprehensive temporal benefit to possession of the completed stone.

Meaning

Having, obtaining, using and personally preparing are distinct acts. The main conclusion makes that distinction explicit when faced with the objection that dissolute people possessed a tincture and used it on metals. The author does not there dispute their reported acquisition; he denies that they themselves made and prepared the true tincture described in his book.

Possession also differs from freedom to dispose of a gift without limits. The First Response tells recipients to possess as though they had nothing. Its paradox concerns attachment and conduct: actual receipt is compatible with restraint, gratitude and refusal to display wealth.

Use in the book

Part III: benefits and their rank · unit 2 introduces benefits only when the stone has reached its desired end. Morienus is credited with the maxim that whoever has it has everything and needs no other help. The claim concerns the completed stone’s temporal sufficiency in an encomium. It is not a statement that any material carrying the name tincture, at any stage, has the same benefits.

The later objection is deliberately awkward for the work’s moral requirements. People may reportedly possess and use a tincture without the required disposition or knowledge of the heavenly stone. The response leaves them in their condition and declines discussion of how they acquired it. Its refusal is focused on self-preparation of the ‘true’ tincture at issue. It also notes varieties of alchemy and intentions. An editor must preserve this limited answer rather than turn it into a denial that the objection describes any possession at all.

The First Response begins by saying material treasures were created for human use and dominion, with recognition and thanks to God. Its later instructions sharply bound that use: recipients may not take the surrounding precious stones on their own, must accept what the guide gives and must not flaunt or misuse it. Misuse and failed conduct lead to loss with little hope of reawakening. Thus dominion, in this voice, does not mean unrestricted appropriation.

Places to read

Part III: benefits and their rank · unit 2The main encomium attributes comprehensive temporal benefit to possession of the completed stone.
Conclusion · unit 5The author concedes an objection about dissolute possessors without accepting that they prepared his true tincture themselves.
First Response · unit 2The First Response permits use and dominion while requiring recognition of divine goodness.
First Response · unit 15The response limits taking, demands non-ostentatious use and warns that misuse loses the gift.

Translation

The English preserves ‘they themselves made and prepared’, which is the exact scope of the main author’s denial, and ‘I do not intend to dispute here’, which marks what remains undecided. In the response, ‘possess it as though you possessed nothing’ is not translated as literal non-possession. These distinctions prevent praise of the possessor from swallowing the text’s separate claims about origin, preparation, authorization and use.

Attested forms

hat alles; bedarff keines andern hülff; gehabt; selber gemacht vnd zubereitet; gebrauchen; Herr darüber; zu besitzen als hättet jhr nichts; mißbraucht