"Know that man makes great discoveries concerning future and hidden
things, which are despised and scoffed at by the ignorant who do not
realize what nature can accomplish by value of her spirit. Thus, the
uncertain arts are in such a state now that a new generation must come,
full of prophetic or sibylline spirit, which will awaken and direct the
skills and arts. The arts of this kind are quite old, and enjoyed great
reputation among the ancient. They are kept secret and taught
secretly. For the students of these arts devoted their time to
contemplation and inner faith, and by such means discovered and proved
many great things. But the men of today have no longer such capacity
for imagination and faith; today their minds are exclusively concerned
with things that are pleasant to the flesh and the blood; only what the
flesh and the blood want and desire is being studied, that alone is
still being practiced. These arts are uncertain today because man is
uncertain in himself. For he who is not certain in himself cannot be
certain in his actions; a sceptic can never create anything enduring,
nor can anyone who serves only the body accomplish true spiritual
works."
– Paracelsus, Astronomia Magna , 1537-38.
