Corpus Hermeticum
Egyptian-Greek wisdom text
The Corpus Hermeticum is a collection of 17 Koine Greek pseudepigraphical writings whose authorship is traditionally attributed to the legendary Hellenistic figure Hermes Trismegistus ("Thrice Great"), a syncretic combination of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. Most of the texts are presented in the form of a dialogue, a favorite form for didactic material in Antiquity. The subject-matter deals with alchemy, magic, and related concepts.
Quotes
edit- Salaman, Clement; van Oyen, Dorine; Wharton, William D.; Mahé, Jean-Pierre (1999). The Way of Hermes. London: Duckworth Books. ISBN 9780892811861.
- Hermes: All knowledge is incorporeal, using the mind as an instrument, just as the mind uses the body. Both then come into the body, mind and matter. All things must be composed of contrast and opposition; it cannot be otherwise.
- Tat: What then is this material God?
- Hermes: The cosmos, beautiful but not good; for it is material and easily affected, and although it is first among things that change, it is second among things that are and it is incomplete. At some time it was created, and yet it always exists; it exists in creation, and it is always being created; it creates quality and quantity, and it is subject to movement. Creation is the movement of all matter.
- Corpus Hermeticum 10:10
- The Word is an image of Nous, and Nous is an image of God; just as the body is an image of an idea, and the idea is an image of the soul. Thus the finest part of matter is air, of air, soul, of soul, Nous, and of Nous, God. And God encompasses all and is through all, and Nous encompasses souls, and soul, air, and air, matter. Necessity, providence and nature are instruments by which the cosmos is governed and by which matter is set in order. Now each of the spiritual beings is an essence and this essence is unchanging identity. Each body in the universe is manifold, and compound bodies, while holding this identity change in to each other. Yet they always preserve that indestructible identity.
- Corpus Hermeticum 12:14
- Furthermore, in each and every compound body there is number. For without number it is impossible for combination, composition or dissolution to occur. The One in each brings forth number and increases it, and again dissolving it, receives it into itself, while matter remains one. This entire cosmos, this great god, which is an image of the greater, with whom it is united, preserves the order and will of the Father and is the abundance of life. In this cosmos, throughout the eternal cycle of ages, which issues from the Father, there is nothing, neither of the whole nor of any part, that does not live. In the cosmos not one dead thing has come to be, is, or will be. For the Father willed that as long as it exists it should be a living being. Therefore the cosmos must needs be a god also.
- Corpus Hermeticum 12:15
