What use are glasses, light and lenses, When everyone, according to his will, Anxiously searches in alchemy, So that his heart burns with desire! He seeks across and back again, Yet finds nothing in the end; And fixes on all spectacles, Because he acts only by his will; Thus he will never hit upon The truth, which could bring him joy. Try it, and do it with reason, And do not grope blindly along the wall. Use glasses, light, and lenses rightly: Then God will grant your wish.
"What good are torches, light, and spectacles, when everyone—following only his own will— anxiously searches in chymistry, until his heart pounds in his body? He searches, indeed, criss‑cross, this way and that, yet he finds nothing at all. And even if he puts on every pair of glasses, because he does only what he wants, still he will not hit upon the truth that can bring joy. Try it, and read it with understanding, and do not grope blindly along the wall. Use torches, light, and spectacles properly— then God will fulfill your wish." - Theologisch-sophistische Handschrift. Danzig, Nuremberg, 1792. [Cod. mag. 142] - Universitätsbibliothek Leipzig