From the book
The Sophic Hydrolith, Water Stone of the Wise
Anonymous and companion authors · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Meaning
Simplicity has several related, favourable senses in the main treatise. Trustworthy practitioners are upright, devout and unboastful; the seeker should resemble Nature in truthfulness, patience and plainness; “simple readers” are people the author wishes to guide, not persons condemned as incapable of learning. In the conclusion he chooses plain expression over elevated language and connects quietness with proper conduct. The emblem’s plain, direct speech signifies absence of falsehood. English “simple” and “plain” therefore carry ethical and stylistic values, not the modern pejorative meaning “bad” for schlecht. The family also preserves a difference between the author’s chosen style and the audience’s need for instruction.
Places to read
- Opening explanation · unit 8Simple and plain practitioners are contrasted with boastful deceivers.
- Part I: entrance and preparation · unit 6The seeker is urged to resemble Nature’s truth and simplicity.
- Part IV: the spiritual comparison · unit 13Simple readers are offered an explanatory reminder about inward and outward perception.
- Conclusion · unit 1The private author defends plainness over academic embellishment.
- Conclusion · unit 11Plainness is joined to devotion, quietness and silence.
- Closing epigrams · unit 3Plain, direct speech signifies the emblematic figure’s lack of falsehood.
Attested forms
einfältig; schlecht; warhafftig; Einfeltigen; erinnerung; einfalt; nicht auff den zierlichen oder hohe buchstaben; fromb/ schlecht/ still; schweig; Wort vnd Red sind schlecht / geradt; Falschheit