Apophatic Theology

Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter III

“In the first place, therefore, you say, “ it must be granted that there are Gods .” Thus to speak, however, is not right on this subject. For an innate knowledge of the Gods is coexistent with our very essence; and this knowledge is superio…”

Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter IV-a

“With respect to your inquiry, “ what the peculiarities are in each of the more excellent genera, by which they are separated from each other? ” if you understand by peculiarities the specific differences under the same genus, which are dis…”

Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter IV-b

“This, therefore, subsists contrarily to what you suppose, for the purpose of discovering the peculiarity which you now investigate. In short, whether you think that there is one genus of the Gods, one of dæmons, and in a similar manner of…”

Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter V-a

“In the next place, let us direct our attention to the solution of your inquiries. There is, therefore, the good itself which is beyond essence, and there is that good which subsists according to essence; I mean the essence which is most an…”

Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter V-b

“Again, however, according to another mode of considering the subject, it is necessary to ascribe to the Gods the whole of that which is united, of whatever kind it may be; that which is firmly established in itself, and which is the cause o…”

Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter VII

“Of the extremes, therefore, one is supreme, transcendent, and perfect; but the other is last in dignity, deficient, and more imperfect. And the former, indeed, is capable of accomplishing all things at once, uniformly in an instant; but the…”

Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter VIII-b

“Hence, through these things such a corporeal-formed division as you introduce, is demonstrated to be false. It is, indeed, especially necessary not to propose any thing of this kind; but if this should appear to you to be requisite, yet yo…”

Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter IX-a

“I consider you, therefore, as asking, for it is your inquiry, “ Why, since the Gods dwell in the heavens alone, there are invocations by theurgists of terrestrial and subterranean Gods? ” For 45 what you assert in the beginning is not true…”

Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 10, Section 1a

“CHAPTER X Concerning ” Omnipotent ,” ” Ancient of Days “; and also concerning ” Eternity “ and ” Time .” 1. Now ‘tis time that our Discourse should celebrate God (Whose Names are many) as “Omnipotent” and “Ancient of Days.” The former titl…”

Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 10, Section 1b

“For where Scripture speaks of things as “eternal” it doth not always mean things that are absolutely Uncreated or verily Everlasting, Incorruptible, 171 Immortal, Invariable, and Immutable ( e.g. “Be ye lift up, ye eternal doors,” 461 461…”

Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 10, Section 1c

“It is spoken of by ail the Christian Mystics as the root of our being, or as the spark, or the Synteresis, etc. Our perfection consists in this ultimate reality, which is each man’s self, shining through his whole being and transforming it…”

Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 1, Section 1a

“51 CHAPTER I Dionysius the Presbyter, to his fellow-Presbyter Timothy. 45 45 The name of St. Paul’s companion is intended to give colour to the writer’s pseudonym. See Introduction, p. 1; cf. iii. 2. What is the purpose of the discou…”

Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 1, Section 1b

“For even as things which are intellectually discerned 52 52 i. e. The Transcendent Truths which are beyond ordinary knowledge. νοητά . The word νοῦς = Mind in the sense not merely of abstract intellect but of the spiritual personality.…”

Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 1, Section 1c

“59 59 ὡς οὐκ ὄντος ἴχνους τῶν ἐπὶ τὴν κρυφίαν αὐτῆς ἀπειρίαν διεληλυθότων. Two interpretations of this passage are possible: (1) Those who have penetrated the hidden Depths cannot describe the Vision (cf. Dante, Par. xxxiii. 55–66) ; (2…”

Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 1, Section 1d

“And we press upwards to those beams which in the Holy Scripture shine upon us; wherefrom we gain the light which leads us unto 55 the Divine praises 64 64 πρὸς τοὺς θεαρχικοὺς ὕμνους. Either (1) “leads us to declare the Divine praises”; or…”

Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 1, Section 1e

“These mysteries we learn from the Divine Scriptures, and thou wilt find that in well-nigh all the utterances of the Sacred Writers the Divine Names refer in a Symbolical Revelation 72 72 ἐκφαντορικῶς καὶ ὑμνητικῶς. to Its beneficent Emanat…”

The Secret Doctrine | Page 2 (part 1)

“The Secret Doctrine by H. P. Blavatsky -- Vol. 1 [[Vol. 1, Page xvii]] INTRODUCTORY. ------- "Gently to hear, kindly to judge." -- S HAKESPEARE. S INCE the appearance of Theosophical literature in England, it has become customary to c…”

The Secret Doctrine | Page 2 (part 2)

“"When Buddhi absorbs our E GOtism (destroys it) with all its Vikaras, Avalokiteshvara becomes manifested to us, and Nirvana, or Mukti, is reached," "Mukti" being the same as Nirvana, i.e. , freedom from the trammels of "Maya" or illusion.…”

The Secret Doctrine | Page 2 (part 3)

“I say "a few truths," advisedly, because that which must remain unsaid could not be contained in a hundred such volumes, nor could it be imparted to the present generation of Sadducees. But, even the little that is now given is better than…”

The Secret Doctrine | Page 3 (part 1)

“The Secret Doctrine by H. P. Blavatsky -- Vol. 1 [[Vol. 1, Page 1]] PROEM ------- PAGES FROM A PRE-HISTORIC PERIOD. A N Archaic Manuscript -- a collection of palm leaves made impermeable to water, fire, and air, by some specific unknow…”

The Secret Doctrine | Page 3 (part 2)

“The latter is either "awake" or "asleep." The Svabhavikas, or philosophers of the oldest school of Buddhism (which still exists in Nepaul), speculate only upon the active condition of this "Essence," which they call Svabhavat, and deem it f…”

The Secret Doctrine | Page 3 (part 3)

“The esoteric symbol of Kali Yuga is the five-pointed star reversed, thus -- the sign of human sorcery, with its two points (horns) turned heavenward, a position every [[Footnote(s)]] ------------------------------------------------- * See t…”

The Secret Doctrine | Page 3 (part 4)

“The orthodox Brahmins, those who rise the most against the Pantheists and Adwaitees, calling them Atheists, are forced, if Manu has any authority in this matter, to accept the death of Brahma, the creator, at the expiration of every "Age" o…”

The Secret Doctrine | Page 3 (part 5)

“But this view does not prevent him from believing in its existence so long as it lasts, to wit, for one Mahamanvantara; nor from applying Akasa, the radiation of Mulaprakriti,* to practical purposes, connected as the World-Soul is with all…”

The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 5 (part 2)

“The anonymous Cloud of Unknowing belongs, I believe, to the early part of the fifteenth century, and it is to be classed among the most signal presentations of the conditions and mode of the Union which I have met with in Christian literatu…”

The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 5 (part 4)

“Blessed and Holy are those who receive the experience of God in the dilucid contemplation, but sanctity and benediction and all in all is that state wherein contemplation is ineffably unified, by a super-eminent leap over of love, with that…”

The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 5 (part 5)

“The technicalities of the occult sciences may seem hard to the beginner, and they are actually hard like the wilderness, because they are barren wastes, but they are in words of one syllable if compared with the little catechisms of eternal…”

The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 41

“§ 4. Concerning the External Preparation of the Operator, and firstly Concerning Ablution The rite of lustration, being the sacramental mark of inward cleanliness, is prescribed in all magical ceremonies, and is equally important in Goëtic…”

The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter IV (part 1)

“CHAPTER IV THE ALL "Under, and back of, the Universe of Time, Space and Change, is ever to be found The Substantial Reality--the Fundamental Truth."--The Kybalion. "Substance" means: "that which underlies all outward manifestations; the es…”

The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter IV (part 2)

“And still more presumptuous are those who attempt to ascribe to THE ALL the personality, qualities, properties, characteristics and attributes of themselves, ascribing to THE ALL the human emotions, feelings, and characteristics, even down…”

The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter IV (part 3)

“It must be Infinite in Space--it must be Everywhere, for there is no place outside of THE ALL--it cannot be otherwise than continuous in Space, without break, cessation, separation, or interruption, for there is nothing to break, separate,…”

The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter IV (part 4)

“The answer is "LIVING MIND," as far above that which mortals know by those words, as Life and Mind are higher than mechanical forces, or matter--INFINITE LIVING MIND as compared to finite "Life and Mind." We mean that which the illumined so…”

The Secret Writing According to John (Apocryphon of John), Codex II, 1 | The Monad-a

“[I also] asked to [understand it; and he said] to me: “The monad [is a unity with nothing] higher than it. [It is that which exists] as [God] and as Father of the All, [the unseen] one, who is higher than [the All, who exists as] indestruct…”

The Secret Writing According to John (Apocryphon of John), Codex II, 1 | Barbelo

“This is because [we do] not [understand unspeakable things, and we] do not understand what [cannot be measured], apart from him who originated [from] him, that is, [the] Father, because he [alone] is the one who [explained] it to us, given…”

Gospel of Judas | Jesus Reveals Everything to Judas-a

“Jesus said, "[Come] and I'll teach you about the [mysteries that no] human [will] see, because there exists a great and boundless realm whose horizons no angelic generation has seen, [in] which is a [great] invisible Spirit, which no [angel…”

Gospel of Philip | Section 1a

“(Above image of the Gospel of Thomas courtesy of the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity, Claremont Graduate University) Visit the Bookstore for a complete selection of translations and books about The Nag Hammadi Library The Nag Hamma…”

Gospel of Philip | Section 1c

“And Jesus said, “Whoever will not eat my flesh and drink my blood has no life within him.” What does he mean? His flesh is the word and blood the holy spirit. Who has received these has food and drink and clothing. I condemn those who sa…”

Gospel of Philip | Section 1j

“In the world these are the true people. They are the attendants of the bridal chamber. POWER AND WEAKNESS In this world, power and weakness mingle when man and woman have sex. Joining is different in the eternal realm, though we use the…”

Gospel of Thomas | Logion 7

“Jesus said, "Blessed is the lion which becomes man when consumed by man; and cursed is the man whom the lion consumes, and the lion becomes man."…”

Gospel of Thomas | Logion 13

“Jesus said to his disciples, "Compare me to someone and tell me whom I am like." Simon Peter said to him, "You are like a righteous angel." Matthew said to him, "You are like a wise philosopher." Thomas said to him, "Master, my mouth is who…”

Gospel of Thomas | Logion 15

“Jesus said, "When you see one who was not born of woman, prostrate yourselves on your faces and worship him. That one is your father."…”

Gospel of Thomas | Logion 17

“Jesus said, "I shall give you what no eye has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and what has never occurred to the human mind."…”

Gospel of Thomas | Logion 29

“Jesus said, "If the flesh came into being because of spirit, it is a wonder. But if spirit came into being because of the body, it is a wonder of wonders. Indeed, I am amazed at how this great wealth has made its home in this poverty."…”

Gospel of Thomas | Logion 43

“His disciples said to him, "Who are you, that you should say these things to us?" <Jesus said to them,> "You do not realize who I am from what I say to you, but you have become like the Jews, for they (either) love the tree and hate its fru…”

Gospel of Thomas | Logion 83

“Jesus said, "The images are manifest to man, but the light in them remains concealed in the image of the light of the father. He will become manifest, but his image will remain concealed by his light."…”

Gospel of Thomas | Logion 113

“His disciples said to him, "When will the kingdom come?" <Jesus said,> "It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying 'here it is' or 'there it is.' Rather, the kingdom of the father is spread out upon the earth, and…”

Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-a

“But it happened after that Jesus rose out of those who (are) dead, and he spent eleven years speaking with his disciples, and teaching them only as far as the Places of the First precept (Law?), and as far as the Places of the First Mystery…”

Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-b

“Because of this therefore they were thinking of that Mystery that it is the completion of all completions; and that it is the head of the Universe; and that [4 ] it is the whole Pleroma: since Jesus is wont to say unto his disciples that th…”

Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-c

“And all the Angels with their Archangels and with all the Powers of the Height were all hymning unto the inner part of the inner parts. So that all the earth heard their voices, not ceasing even unto the nine of the morrow. But the discip…”

Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-f

“And when your time was finished they produced you in [14 ] the World, there not being soul of the Rulers in you; and ye took your part out of the power, this which breathed in unto the Confusion the last Helper, this (power) which is mixed…”

Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-g

“Now therefore we all together we wait for thee at the last Boundary, namely, the last mystery (reckoning) from within, he also is a part of us. Now therefore we have dispatched to thee thy vesture [17 ] which is thy very own from at first,…”

Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-h

“Hasten therefore put this vesture on thee, come even unto us because we (may) wait for thee, for us to put on thee thy two vestures by the command of the First Mystery (Margin: these which become to thee from the first together with the Fir…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-x

“[170 ] Because that I was not seeking after the manner (in) which seek the men of the World; but we are seeking indeed in the knowledge of the Height, this which thou gavest to us, and we are seeking also in the type of the search which is…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-z

“It happened therefore, Jesus having finished saying these words unto his disciples, sprang up Maria the Magdalene, said she, My Lord, be not angry with me, seeking (from) thee, because that we are seeking after every thing in an exactness.…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-ad

“Answered further Jesus, said he to her, Well (done), O pure spiritual Maria, this is the explanation of the word. It happened therefore also after all these words, added Jesus in the word, said he to his disciples, [185 ] Hear that I may s…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-ae

“Answered Jesus, said he to Maria in the midst of the disciples, Amen, amen I say to you, The second Helper is distant from the first Helper in a great distance immeasurable in reference to the height above and beneath, in reference to the d…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-ag

“And he hath the authority for to move about in all the arrays of the Inheritances of the Light, for to move about in them from without out unto within and from within in unto without and from above unto below and from below unto above, and…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-ah

“And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Slander became, and because of what the Word which is good [194 ] became: and that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Obedience became, and because of w…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-ai

“And added also Jesus, said he to his disciples, Yet therefore my Disciples and my friends and my brothers, let each be sober of the spirit which (is) in him that ye may listen and understand every word which I shall say to you, because from…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-aj

“And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Dissension became, and because of what became the Reconciliation. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Covetousness, and because of what…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-ak

“It happened therefore, the disciples having heard these words which said Jesus, they drew back and they were silent altogether. Came forward Maria the Magdalene, she prostrated at the feet of Jesus, she worshipped unto them, she cried out,…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-al

“And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled himself him the great Light of the Lights, and because of what he (they, MS ) proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones), and that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth beca…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-am

“And that Mystery [206 ] indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves the Boundless (ones) and because of what they set them up being twelve Boundless Spaces, and they placed them being three arrays of Spaces according t…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-an

“And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled himself [208 ] the first Triple spirit from below this, which belongeth to the arrays of the Only One, the Ineffable, and because of what they proceeded out of the seco…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-ao

“And he who will receive the one word of that mystery, this which I shall say unto you now with all its (his, 114 MS thus again) types with all its figures, with the manner of completing its mystery: because that ye are the perfect of all-pe…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-ap

“He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth all the Gods, and he will be exalted over them all. He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth all the luminaries (phoster), and he will be exalted over them all. He is a man bein…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-aq

“Now therefore not only ye will reign with me, but every man who will receive the Mystery of the Ineffable, they will become ruling with me in my kingdom, and I am them, and they are I: but my throne will become more excellent than they, bec…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-at

“Amen I say unto you, That man whenever he should come out of the body, they are not wont to judge him in any Place of the Rulers, nor will they be able to punish him in any Place, 120 nor the fire will touch him through the great mystery of…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-au

“He who also receiveth out of the three mysteries of the Ineffable, whenever also he should come out of body he will inherit unto the kingdom of that mystery, and those three mysteries are equal with one another, they are in the kingdom and…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-av

“And ye, my disciples, with every one who will receive the mysteries of the Ineffable will remain with me on my right (hand) and on my left reigning with me in my kingdom. And those also who receive the three mysteries of the five mysteries…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-aw

“Now therefore whenever I should finish distributing to you the Distribution of the Universe, I shall give to you and I shall say unto you the great mysteries of the three lots of my kingdom, namely, the heads of the mysteries which I shall…”

Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-a

“A PART OF THE BOOKS OF THE SAVIOUR [ The Interposed Fragment ] [233 ] and those who are worthy of the Mysteries which dwell in the Ineffable, namely, which did not proceed out: these become before the First Mystery and according to resembla…”

Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-j

“But if yet in a time of repentance they should renounce [252 ] all the World, with all the 138 matter which is in it, with all the sins of the world, and they (are they) who become in all the subjection to the mysteries of the Light, not an…”

Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-v

“And also that (not only) are they wont to forgive all of them to her, [275 ] but they are not wont to reckon sin unto her from this hour, even until unto age of age, because of the free-gift of that great mystery with its (their, MS ) glory…”

Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-w

“Answered Maria, said she, My Lord, then every man who will receive the mystery of the Ineffable, and they transgress, they cease from their faith, and also after these yet living, they turned, they repented, will they forgive to them [277 ]…”

Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-y

“But if it is proper for him being man of the World having done this, very much more therefore the Ineffable with the First Mystery, these who are lord over the Universe are having the authority in everything to do that which they will, for…”

Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-ac

“And the tenth chamber there are many Rulers in it seven heads of dragon to each of them in their original face, and he who is over them all they are wont to call his name in their Place, Xarmarokh. And eleventh chamber, there are many Rule…”

Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-ae

“Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, If a sinner, he is being worthy of the Darkness which is outer, or otherwise indeed he did sin according to the punishment, the rest also of the punishments; and this (one) did not repent, or otherwis…”

Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-af

“And if that soul received her number of cycles, is wont the Virgin of the Light, she is wont to prove her, she is not wont to let them punish her, because that she received the number of cycle: but she is wont to deliver her unto the seven…”

Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-ag

“And 166 that man came out of the body before that he repented again and received mystery again in the mysteries, those which (are) within the mysteries which he finished receiving, these which they are wont to receive again for the repentan…”

Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-ah

“And whenever the Ruler should cast out the souls, are wont the Angels of Ieou, the first man, these who are vigilant unto the chambers of that Place, he is wont to hasten immediately and to carry off that soul until he bringeth her (close)…”

Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-aq

“Now therefore say unto them, If ye knew the face of the heaven with the earth out of the winds, Whenever some therefore now should come up (close) to you and preach to you a Godhead, and ye know in an exactness that their words agreed and s…”

Pistis Sophia | Document FOURTH-g

“Again also he added in the word, said he to his disciples, The fifth array, of which they are wont to call its Ruler, Iakhthanabas, being a strong Ruler, being under him many other demons: they are those who are wont to go in unto the men,…”

Pistis Sophia | Document FOURTH-j

“This is the baptism of the First Oblation which guideth in unto the Place of the truth, and in [335 ] unto the Place of the Light. After these (things) also said they his disciples, Rabbei reveal to us the mystery of the Light of thy Fathe…”

Tao Te Ching | Chapter 1

“The Tao that can be trodden is not the enduring and unchanging Tao. The name that can be named is not the enduring and unchanging name. (Conceived of as) having no name, it is the Originator of heaven and earth; (conceived of as) having a n…”

Tao Te Ching | Chapter 2

“All in the world know the beauty of the beautiful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what ugliness is; they all know the skill of the skilful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what the want of skill is. So it is that existe…”

Tao Te Ching | Chapter 4

“The Tao is (like) the emptiness of a vessel; and in our employment of it we must be on our guard against all fulness. How deep and unfathomable it is, as if it were the Honoured Ancestor of all things! We should blunt our sharp points, and…”

Tao Te Ching | Chapter 5

“Heaven and earth do not act from (the impulse of) any wish to be benevolent; they deal with all things as the dogs of grass are dealt with. The sages do not act from (any wish to be) benevolent; they deal with the people as the dogs of gras…”

Tao Te Ching | Chapter 6

“The valley spirit dies not, aye the same; The female mystery thus do we name. Its gate, from which at first they issued forth, Is called the root from which grew heaven and earth. Long and unbroken does its power remain, Used gently, and wi…”

Tao Te Ching | Chapter 10

“When the intelligent and animal souls are held together in one embrace, they can be kept from separating. When one gives undivided attention to the (vital) breath, and brings it to the utmost degree of pliancy, he can become as a (tender) b…”

Tao Te Ching | Chapter 11

“The thirty spokes unite in the one nave; but it is on the empty space (for the axle), that the use of the wheel depends. Clay is fashioned into vessels; but it is on their empty hollowness, that their use depends. The door and windows are c…”

Tao Te Ching | Chapter 14

“We look at it, and we do not see it, and we name it 'the Equable.' We listen to it, and we do not hear it, and we name it 'the Inaudible.' We try to grasp it, and do not get hold of it, and we name it 'the Subtle.' With these three qualitie…”

Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter V — Of the Wonderful Natures of Fire and Earth | Chapter V, Section 1a

“CHAPTER V. Of the Wonderful Natures of Fire and Earth . There are two things, saith Hermes, viz., Fire and Earth, which are sufficient for the operation of all wonderful things: the former is active, the latter passive. Fire, as saith Di…”

The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | Third Dialogue-b

“It is not a fury of black bile which sends him drifting outside of judgment, reason, and acts of prudence, and tossed by the discordant tempest, like those who, having violated certain laws of the divine Adrastia, are condemned to be scourg…”

The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | Third Dialogue-c

“Here he shows his love not to be like that of the butterfly, of the stag, and of the unicorn, who would flee away if they had knowledge of the fire, of the arrow, and of the snares, and who have no other sense than that of pleasure; but he…”

The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | Third Dialogue-e

“Others esteem him unhappy through this appearance of an evil destiny, as being condemned to these pangs, for he will never cease from acknowledging the obligation he is under to love, nor cease from rendering thanks to him because he has pr…”

The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | Third Dialogue-f

“Fitly, therefore, this rapture of heroic enthusiasm feeds on such "high emprise." For the object is infinite, and in action most simple, and our intellectual power cannot apprehend the infinite except in speech or in a certain manner of spe…”

The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | Fourth Dialogue-b

“He forms intelligible conceptions in his own way and proportions them to his capacity, so that they are received according to the manner of the recipient. Tans. And does he hunt through the operation of the will, by the act of which he co…”

The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | Fourth Dialogue-c

“Whence he says, "Come not back to me till thou art mine," and not unworthily may I say with that other— Thou has left me, oh, my heart, And thou, light of my eyes, art no more with me. Here he describes the death of the soul, which by the…”

The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | Fourth Dialogue-d

“To be infinite, it must be infinitely pursued with that form of pursuit which is not incited physically, but metaphysically, and is not from imperfect to perfect, but goes circulating through the grades of perfection to arrive at that infin…”

Corpus Hermeticum 1: Poimandres | Section 1f

“All this befell me from my Mind, that is Man-Shepherd, Word (Logos) of all masterhood, by whom being God-inspired I came unto the Plain of Truth. Wherefore with all my soul and strength thanksgiving give I unto Father-God. 31. Holy art T…”

Corpus Hermeticum 2: The Serapeum | Section 1a

“To Asclepius <This dialogue sets forth the difference between the physical and metaphysical worlds in the context of Greek natural philosophy. Some of the language is fairly technical: the "errant spheres" of sections 6 and 7 are the celes…”

Corpus Hermeticum 2: The Serapeum | Section 1c

“H: Alack, Asclepius, for thy far-wandering from the truth! Think'st thou that things most full and most replete are void? 11. A: How meanest thou, Thrice-greatest one? H: Is not air body? A: It is. H: And doth this body not pervade al…”

Corpus Hermeticum 4: The Epistles | Section 1a

“The Cup or Monad <This short text gives an unusually lucid overview of the foundations of Hermetic thought. The stress on rejection of the body and its pleasures, and on the division of humanity into those with Mind and those without, are…”

Corpus Hermeticum 4: The Epistles | Section 1b

“And having raised themselves so far they sight the Good; and having sighted it, they look upon their sojourn here as a mischance; and in disdain of all, both things in body and the bodiless, they speed their way unto that One and Only One.…”

Corpus Hermeticum 4: The Epistles | Section 1c

“It is Itself Its Source, since It may have no other Source. The Oneness then being Source, containeth every number, but is contained by none; engendereth every number, but is engendered by no other one. 11. Now all that is engendered is…”

Corpus Hermeticum 5: The Discourse of Hermes to Asclepius | Section 1a

“Though Unmanifest God Is Most Manifest 1. I will recount to thee this sermon (logos) too, O Tat, that thou may'st cease to be without the mysteries of the God beyond all name. And mark thou well how that which to the many seems unmanifest…”

Corpus Hermeticum 5: The Discourse of Hermes to Asclepius | Section 1b

“Would that it were possible for thee to get thee wings, and soar into the air, and, poised midway 'tween earth and heaven, behold the earth's solidity, the sea's fluidity (the flowings of its streams), the spaciousness of air, fire's swiftn…”

The Dhammapada | Chapter XIV, Section 1a

“p. 49 CHAPTER XIV. THE BUDDHA (THE AWAKENED). 179. He whose conquest is not conquered again, into whose conquest no one in this world enters, by what track can you lead him, the Awakened, the Omniscient, the trackless? 180. He whom no…”

The Dhammapada | Chapter XXVI, Section 1d

“Him I call indeed a Brâhma n a who has left what gives pleasure and what gives pain, who is cold, and free from all germs (of renewed life), the hero who has conquered all the worlds. 419. Him I call indeed a Brâhma n a who knows the dest…”

The Dhammapada | Chapter XXVI, Section 1e

“Him I call indeed a Brâhma n a who calls nothing his own, whether it be before, behind, or between, who is poor, and free from the love of the world. 422. Him I call indeed a Brâhma n a, the manly, the noble, the hero, the great sage, the…”

Vajrakkhedika (Diamond Cutter) | Section 1b

“observes that pa kkh abhatta m pi nd apâtapa t ikkânto is a {Greek ú!oteron próteron }, as it means, having returned from his rounds, and then made his meal on the food obtained on his rounds. 4. Pâli pa ññ ata. 5. Burnouf, Lotus, p. 3…”

Vajrakkhedika (Diamond Cutter) | Section 1c

“Because that Bodhisattva, O Subhûti, who gives a gift, without believing in anything, the measure of his stock of merit is not easy to learn.'--'What do you think, O Subhûti, is it easy to learn the measure of space in the eastern quarter?'…”

Vajrakkhedika (Diamond Cutter) | Section 1d

“In the next or third 500 years, they will be strong in 'much learning,' i.e. bahu s ruta, religious knowledge. In the next or fourth 500 years, they will be strong in founding monasteries, &c. In the last or fifth 500 years, they will be…”

Vajrakkhedika (Diamond Cutter) | Section 1e

“But eka k ittaprasâda may also be 'faith producted by one thought,' 'immediate faith,' and this too is a recognised form of faith in Buddhism. See Sukhâvatî, pp. 71, 108.] they would believe in a being, they would believe in a living bein…”

Vajrakkhedika (Diamond Cutter) | Section 1f

“Because, O Subhûti, the highest perfect knowledge of the holy and enlightened Tathâgatas is produced from it; the blessed Buddhas are produced from it. And why? Because, O Subhûti, when the Tathâgata preached: [1. See Childers, s.v. Lok…”

Orphic Hymns | Hymn V. PROTOGONUS, Or the FIRST-BORN

“V. TO PROTOGONUS, Or the FIRST-BORN. The FUMIGATION from MYRRH. O Mighty first-begotten, hear my pray'r, 1 Two-fold, egg-born, and wand'ring thro' the air, p. 119 Bull-roarer, glorying in thy golden wings, 3 From whom the race of Gods and m…”

Orphic Hymns | Hymn IX. NATURE

“IX. TO NATURE. * The FUMIGATION from AROMATICS. NATURE, all parent, ancient, and divine, O Much-mechanic mother, art is thine; p. 127 Heav'nly, abundant, venerable queen, In ev'ry part of thy dominions seen. p. 128 Untam'd, all-taming, ever…”

Orphic Hymns | Hymn XI. HERCULES

“XI. TO HERCULES. The FUMIGATION from FRANKINCENSE. HEAR, pow'rful, Hercules untam'd and strong, To whom vast hands, and mighty works belong, Almighty Titan, prudent and benign, Of various forms, eternal and divine, Father of Time, the theme…”

Orphic Hymns | Hymn XII. SATURN

“XII. TO SATURN. The FUMIGATION from STORAX. ETHERIAL father, mighty Titan, hear, 1 Great fire of Gods and men, whom all revere: Endu'd with various council, pure and strong, To whom perfection and decrease belong. Consum'd by thee all forms…”

Orphic Hymns | Hymn XIII. RHEA

“XIII. TO RHEA * . The FUMIGATION from AROMATICS. DAUGHTER of great Protogonus, divine, 1 Illustrious Rhea, to my pray'r incline, p. 138 Who driv'st thy holy car with speed along, Drawn by fierce lions, terrible and strong. 4 Mother of Jove,…”

Orphic Hymns | Hymn XXVIII. PROSERPINE

“XXVIII. TO PROSERPINE. A HYMN DAUGHTER of Jove, almighty and divine, Come, blessed queen, and to these rites incline: Only-begotten, Pluto's honor'd wife, 3 O venerable Goddess, source of life: 'Tis thine in earth's profundities to dwell, 5…”

Orphic Hymns | Hymn XXIX. BACCHUS

“XXIX. TO BACCHUS. The FUMIGATION from STORAX. BACCHUS I call, loud-sounding and divine, Fanatic God, a two-fold shape is thine: Thy various names and attributes I sing, O, first-born, thrice begotten, Bacchic king: 4 Rural, ineffable, two-f…”

Orphic Hymns | Hymn XXX. THE CURETES

“XXX. TO THE CURETES. A HYMN. LEAPING Curetes, who with dancing feet And circling measures, armed footsteps beat: Whose bosom's mad, fanatic transports fire, Who move in rythm to the founding lyre: Who traces deaf when lightly leaping tread,…”

The Book of Concealed Mystery (Siphra Dtzenioutha) | 1a

“CHAPTER V. 1. (It is written) Isa. i. 4: "Woe unto the sinful nation, unto the people heavy with iniquity, unto the seed of evildoers, &c." (Here the author of the "Siphra Dtzenioutha" reasoneth concerning the small word HVI, "woe," whi…”

The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Chapter XIV (part 2)

“None of the angels could enter and could behold His face by reason of the magnificence and glory and no flesh could behold Him. 22. The flaming fire was round about Him, and a great fire stood before Him, and none around could draw nigh H…”

The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Chapter XXXIX

“XXXIX. The Abode of the Righteous and of the Elect One: the Praises of the Blessed . CHAPTER XXXIX. 1. [ And it †shall come to pass in those days that elect and holy children †will descend from the high heaven, and their seed †will become o…”

The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Chapter LXIII

“LXIII. The unavailing Repentance of the Kings and the Mighty . CHAPTER LXIII. 1. In those days shall the mighty and the kings who possess the earth implore (Him) to grant them a little respite from His angels of punishment to whom they were…”

The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Chapter LXXI

“LXXI. Two earlier visions of Enoch . CHAPTER LXXI. 1. And it came to pass after this that my spirit was translated And it ascended into the heavens: And I saw the holy sons of God . They were stepping on flames of fire: Their garments were…”

The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Chapter XCIII

“XCIII. XCI. 12-17. The Apocalypse of Weeks . p. 132 CHAPTER XCIII. 1. And after that Enoch both †gave† and began to recount from the books. And Enoch said: 'Concerning the children of righteousness and concerning the elect of the world, And…”

The Kabbalah Unveiled | Introduction, Section 1a

“p. 43 SPRA DTzNIOVThA (SIPHRA DTZENIOUTHA); OR, THE BOOK OF CONCEALED MYSTERY. CHAPTER I. 1. Tradition .--"The Book of Concealed Mystery" is the book of the equilibrium of balance. [The word "Dtzenioutha" is difficult to translate, but…”

The Kabbalah Unveiled | Introduction, Section 1b

“[But the first idea of equilibrium is the Ancient One (the first Sephira, or Crown Kether), because it is the first potential limitation of the boundless light which proceeds from the Limitless One. That is, the central point of Kether is…”

The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 7 (part 3)

“xi.) that the Prisse papyrus was copied about the period of the XVIIth dynasty and that the works in it only date from the XIIth dynasty; but many Egyptologists assign the composition of the work to the age of Assa. See Wiedemann, Aegyptis…”

The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 8 (part 3)

“As a result, it seems that the word "God" should be reserved to express the name of the Creator of the Universe, and that neteru , usually rendered "gods," should be translated by some other word, but what that word should be it is almost i…”

The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 8 (part 4)

“No man knoweth how to know Him--His name remaineth hidden; His name is a mystery unto His children. His names are innumerable, they are manifold and none knoweth their number--God is truth and He liveth by truth and He feedeth thereon. He…”

The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 8 (part 6)

“, the litany from the tomb of Seti I., published by Naville, La Litanie du Soleil , Leipzig, 1875, p. 13 ff. 2. E.g. , Hymn to Amen-Ra, translated by Goodwin from papyrus No. 17, now preserved in the Gizeh Museum (see Les Papyrus Égypt…”

The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 8 (part 8)

“His name is gracious, and the love of him is sweet; and at the dawn all people make supplication unto him through his mighty power and terrible strength, and every god lieth in fear of him. He is the young bull that destroyeth the wicked,…”

The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 10 (part 13)

“In turn it was identified with all the gods of Egypt, new or old, and its influence was so great upon the minds of the Egyptians that from the earliest days they depicted to themselves a material heaven wherein the Isles of the Blest were l…”

The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 39 (part 1)

“PLATE XXXIII. Vignette: A lake of fire, at each corner of which is seated a dog-headed ape. Rubric: (1) Osiris Ani, triumphant, is girt about with [fine] raiment, he is shod with (2)white sandals, and he is anointed with very precious anta…”

The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 43 (part 40)

“Thou art the heir of Seb and the sovereign of all the earth; [* This festival took place on the 17th and 18th days of the month Thoth; see Brugsch, Kalendarische Inschriften, p. 235.] {footnote page liii} Seb hath seen thy glorious power,…”

The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter II, Section 1b

“It is not born, nor does it ever die, nor, having existed, does it exist no more. Unborn, everlasting, unchangeable, and primeval, it is not killed when the body is killed . O son of P ri thâ! how can that man who knows it thus to be ind…”

The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter VII, Section 1b

“Whichever form (of deity) any worshipper wishes to worship with faith, to that form I render his faith steady. Possessed Of that faith, he seeks to propitiate (the deity in) that (form), and obtains from it those beneficial things which he…”

The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter VIII, Section 1a

“CHAPTER VIII. Ar g una said: What is that Brahman, what the Adhyâtma, and what, O best of beings! is action? And what is called the Adhibhûta? And who is the Adhiya g ña, and how in this body, O destroyer of Madhu? And how, too, are yo…”

The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter VIII, Section 1b

“This same assemblage of entities, being produced again and again, dissolves on the advent of night, and, O son of P ri thâ! issues forth on the advent of day, without a will of its own . But there is another entity, unperceived and eterna…”

The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter XI, Section 1a

“CHAPTER XI. Ar g una said: In consequence of the excellent and mysterious words concerning the relation of the supreme and individual soul,, which you have spoken for my welfare, this delusion of mine is gone away. O you whose eyes are li…”

The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter XI, Section 1c

“O infinite lord of gods! O you pervading the universe! you are the indestructible, that which is, that which is not, and what is beyond them . You are the primal god, the ancient being, you are the highest support of this universe . You…”

The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter XII, Section 1

“CHAPTER XII. Ar g una said: Of the worshippers, who thus, constantly devoted, meditate on you, and those who (meditate) on the unperceived and indestructible, which best know devotion? The Deity said: Those who being constantly devoted, and…”

The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter XIII, Section 1a

“CHAPTER XIII. The Deity said: This body, O son of Kuntî! is called Kshetra , and the learned call him who knows it the Kshetra g ña. . And know me also, O descendant of Bharata! to be the Kshetra g ña in all Kshetras. The knowledge of…”

Plato: Phaedo | Section 1ae

“I dare say that the simile is not perfect-for I am very far from admitting that he who contemplates existence through the medium of ideas, sees them only "through a glass darkly," any more than he who sees them in their working and effects.…”

Plato: Phaedo | Section 1af

“Very true, he said. Again, would you not be cautious of affirming that the addition of one to one, or the division of one, is the cause of two? And you would loudly asseverate that you know of no way in which anything comes into existence…”

Plato: Phaedo | Section 1ag

“The reason why I say this is that I want you to agree with me in thinking, not only that absolute greatness will never be great and also small, but that greatness in us or in the concrete will never admit the small or admit of being exceede…”

Plato: Phaedrus | Section 1o

“Zeus, the mighty lord, holding the reins of a winged chariot, leads the way in heaven, ordering all and taking care of all; and there follows him the array of gods and demigods, marshalled in eleven bands; Hestia alone abides at home in the…”

Plato: Phaedrus | Section 1ae

“I quite admit, Socrates, that the art of rhetoric which these men teach and of which they write is such as you describe-there I agree with you. But I still want to know where and how the true art of rhetoric and persuasion is to be acquire…”

Plato: Symposium | Section 1t

“to which you would find no difficulty in replying, of a son or daughter: and the answer would be right. Very true, said Agathon. And you would say the same of a mother? He assented. Yet let me ask you one more question in order to illus…”

Plato: Symposium | Section 1u

“True, he said. Then Love wants and has not beauty? Certainly, he replied. And would you call that beautiful which wants and does not possess beauty? Certainly not. Then would you still say that love is beautiful? Agathon replied: I fe…”

Plato: Symposium | Section 1aa

“"These are the lesser mysteries of love, into which even you, Socrates, may enter; to the greater and more hidden ones which are the crown of these, and to which, if you pursue them in a right spirit, they will lead, I know not whether you…”

The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi) | STORY I-a

“The Prince and the Handmaid. A prince, while engaged on a hunting excursion, espied a fair maiden, and by promises of gold induced her to accompany him. After a time she fell sick, and the prince had her tended by divers physicians. As,…”

The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi) | STORY II

“The Oilman and his Parrot. An oilman possessed a parrot which used to amuse him with its agreeable prattle, and to watch his shop when he went out. One day, when the parrot was alone in the shop, a cat upset one of the oil-jars. When the oi…”

The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi) | STORY V-d

“But the light that lights the heart is the Light of God, Which is distinct from the light of reason and sense. At night there is no light, and colors are not seen; Hence we know what light is by its opposite, darkness. At night no colors…”

The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi) | STORY V-e

“"In yourselves are signs; will ye not behold them?" (Koran li, 21). 12. See Gulshan i Raz, I. 92. Mr. Mansel (Bampton Lectures, p. 49) says: "A thing can be known as that which it is only by being distinguished from that which it is n…”

The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi) | STORY VIII-a

“The Harper. In the time of the Khalifa 'Omar there lived a harper, whose voice was as sweet as that of the angel Israfil, and who was in great request at all feasts. But he grew old, and his voice broke, and no one would employ him any lo…”

The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi) | STORY IX-c

“When love of God kindles a flame in the inward man, He burns, and is freed from effects. He has no need of signs to assure him of love, For love casts its own light up to heaven. Other details are wanting to complete this subject, But tak…”

The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi) | STORY XII

“Joseph a‚Žd the Mirror. An old friend came to pay his respects to Joseph, and, after some remarks upon the bad behaviour of his brethren, Joseph asked him what present he had brought to show his respect. The friend replied that he had long…”

The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi) | STORY XIV

“The Chinese and the Greek Artists. The Chinese and the Greeks disputed before the Sultan which of them were the better painters; and, in order to settle the dispute, the Sultan allotted to each a house to be painted by them. The Chinese pro…”

The Soul of the Indian | Chapter I-a

“THE GREAT MYSTERY Solitary Worship. The Savage Philosopher. The Dual Mind. Spiritual Gifts versus Material Progress. The Paradox of “Christian Civilization.” The original attitude of the American Indian toward the Eternal, the “Great My…”

The Soul of the Indian | Chapter II-d

“Names of any dignity or importance must be conferred by the old men, and especially so if they have any spiritual significance; as Sacred Cloud, Mysterious Night, Spirit Woman, and the like. Such a name was sometimes borne by three generat…”

The Soul of the Indian | Chapter IV-a

“BARBARISM AND THE MORAL CODE Silence the Corner-Stone of Character. Basic Ideas of Morality. “Give All or Nothing!” Rules of Honorable Warfare. An Indian Conception of Courage. Long before I ever heard of Christ, or saw a white man, I h…”

The Soul of the Indian | Chapter V-a

“THE UNWRITTEN SCRIPTURES A Living Book. The Sioux Story of Creation. The First Battle. Another Version of the Flood. Our Animal Ancestry. A missionary once undertook to instruct a group of Indians in the truths of his holy religion. H…”

The Mabinogion | Tale TALIESIN-i

“The names of the three springs From the midst of the ocean; One generated brine Which is from the Corina, To replenish the flood Over seas disappearing; The second, without injury It will fall on us, When there is rain abroad, Through the w…”

The Kalevala | Rune IX-g

“O, ye people of Wainola, People of this generation, And the folk of future ages, Fashion not in emulation, River boat, nor ocean shallop, Boasting of its fine appearance, God alone can work completion, Give to cause its perfect ending, Neve…”

Enuma Elish: The Epic of Creation | 1a

“THE FIRST TABLET When in the height heaven was not named, And the earth beneath did not yet bear a name, And the primeval Apsu, who begat them, And chaos, Tiamut, the mother of them both Their waters were mingled together, And no field was…”