From the book
The Sophic Hydrolith, Water Stone of the Wise
Anonymous and companion authors · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordSeeing and knowing are not equivalent in the main treatise.
- In the Sophic HydrolithOpening explanation · unit 9 explains the author's decision to publish a brief, truthful account for diligent pupils confused by noisy false teachers.
- In this editionThe English's 'seen ... recognised' reproduces the consequential verbal difference in the material description.
- A place to readInstruction is meant to dispel mistaken convictions.
Meaning
Seeing and knowing are not equivalent in the main treatise. A thing can be visible to everyone and still recognised by few. Hearing likewise includes outward reception and inward apprehension; the author asks that each receive its proper share. The lexical distinction concerns the adequacy of perception and interpretation, not the simple rejection of eyes, ears, letters or preaching.
Opening the eyes can consequently name release from mistaken conviction. It is a figure for understanding enabled by God and appropriate instruction, rather than a promise that physically looking harder will reveal a hidden ingredient.
Use in the book
Opening explanation · unit 9 explains the author's decision to publish a brief, truthful account for diligent pupils confused by noisy false teachers. He hopes, if God permits, to open some eyes and lead readers from error to the right path. The modest qualifications of fitting disclosure and possible benefit remain alongside his strong claims of having advanced further than many.
Part II: matter and the work · unit 5 sharpens the problem: the subject is sought by many but found by few, contemplated afar but taken nearby, seen by everyone but recognised by the smaller number. Its availability does not secure understanding. The passage gives inward prompting by the Holy Spirit or instruction from those who know as means of access; it does not make every observer's private interpretation equally authoritative.
Part IV: the spiritual comparison · unit 13 interprets two eyes and ears as a sign of inward and outward seeing and hearing. Spiritual things are judged inwardly, while the outward is still given its share. The same distinction is to be observed in spirit and letter. This is not a command to discard Scripture's wording for untestable intuition.
Part IV: the spiritual comparison · unit 45 applies the distinction specifically to hearing God's Word. It rejects adulterating human glosses and mere ear-filling chatter, yet insists that the true Word is still preached through the Spirit and is not a bare sound. Inward hearing accompanies outward hearing. The text thus combines a critique of superficial reception with affirmation of an external, proclaimed Word.
Places to read
- Opening explanation · unit 9Instruction is meant to dispel mistaken convictions.
- Part II: matter and the work · unit 5Everyone sees it but few recognise it; contemplation afar contrasts with taking near at hand.
- Part IV: the spiritual comparison · unit 13Paired bodily organs signify inward and outward modes of perception.
- Part IV: the spiritual comparison · unit 45The hearing required is not merely bodily but inward as well as outward.
Translation
The English's 'seen ... recognised' reproduces the consequential verbal difference in the material description. In the theological passage, 'together with the outward' prevents a false inward-only interpretation. Its translation of the corrupted-looking phrasing about hearing clarifies the contrast from the complete sentence rather than inventing an additional faculty. The entry's family title makes Seeing, Hearing and Recognition individually findable without treating their source verbs as one lemma.
Attested forms
Augen einmal eroffnet; gesehen; erkant; weite; nähe; Augen vnd Ohren; sehen vnd gehör; jnnerliches vnd eusserliches; hören; jnnerlichen; eusserlichen