Precepts of Hermes

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.