The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus
The
Precepts of Hermes, engraved upon the Emerald
Tablet
1. Speak
not fictitious things, but that which is certain and true.
2. What is below is like that which is above, and what is
above is like that which is below, to accomplish the
miracles of one thing.
3. And as all things were produced by the one word of one
Being, so all things were produced from this one thing by
adaptation.
4. Its father is the sun, its mother the moon; the wind
carried it in its belly, its nurse is the earth.
5. It is the father of perfection throughout the world.
6. The power is vigorous if it be changed into earth.
7. Separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the
gross, acting prudently and with judgment.
8. Ascend with the greatest sagacity from the earth to
heaven, and then again, descend to the earth, and unite
together the powers of things superior and things inferior.
Thus will you obtain the glory of the whole world, and
obscurity will fly far away from you.
9. this has more fortitude than fortitude itself; because
it conquers every subtle thing and can penetrate every
solid.
10. Thus the world was formed.
11. Hence proceed wonders, which are here established.
12. Therefore, I am called Hermes Trismegistus, having
three parts of the philosophy of the whole world.
13. That which I had to say concerning the operation of the
sun is completed.