Hermetica: Volume 1 of 4

(I'm reviewing Hermetica, Volume 1. Walter Scott's translation.)

Wow! I can't believe there are so few reviews of this book. I wonder whether I should take it as a disgrace or an honour. Probably both.

To begin, after reading the Hermetica, you will never EVER remain indifferent when someone will casually tell you about something being “hermetically” sealed. Your mind will suddenly leap into a realm of eternal wisdom. Be warned.
For those who, like me, love delving into ancient sacred texts—especially, but not limited to, Abrahamic Scriptures—the Hermetica is a must-read.
Did you know, for instance, that it is generally assumed that the prophet Idris referred to in the Quran as patient and trustworthy is none other than Hermes Trismegistus, and the Sabians his followers?

“Indeed, the believers, Jews, Christians, and Sabians—whoever truly believes in God and the Last Day and does good will have their reward with their Lord. And there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.” Quran 2:62.

Hermetica

Hermetica

Hermetica

Hermetica

“O Egypt, Egypt, of thy religion nothing will remain but an empty tale, which thine own children in time to come will not believe; nothing will be left but graven words, and only the stones will tell of thy piety. And in that day men will be weary of life, and they will cease to think the universe worthy of reverent wonder and of worship. And so religion, the greatest of all blessings [...] will be threatened with destruction; men will think it a burden, and will come to scorn it.”

“There [in the House of Knowledge] none is drunken, but all are sober, and they look up and see with the heart Him whose will it is that with the heart alone He should be seen. For He cannot be known by hearing, nor made known by speech; nor can He be seen with bodily eyes.”

“Philosophy is nothing else than striving through constant contemplation and saintly piety to attain to knowledge of God; but there will be many who will make philosophy hard to understand, and corrupt it with manifold speculations.”

“I deem it impossible that he who is the maker of the universe in all its greatness, the Father or Maker of all things, can be named by a single name, though it be made up of so many others; I hold that he is nameless, or rather, that all names are names of him. For he in his unity is all things; so that we must either call all things by his name, or call him by names of all things.”