"I have no greater desire or longing than that the state of the world to-day, among its princes, kings, and magnates, may be the same as it was in the time and age of the Magi. Then the virtues in all things would so shine forth that all men would admire God, being such a profound artificer as He is, since He has hidden so many miracles in Nature, in order that man may trace them out. The Magi passed away, and the drunkards rushed into their place, and now nothing remains but whoremongers, mockers, robbers, and thieves. One ought to grieve from the heart that there is to-day no Magus flourishing among princes, but all things on every side have degenerated into mere trifling and ineptitude, while wolves sit at our councils, and have the mastery, who by their exactions and their usuries make more than enough gain for themselves and their lords. This fate awaited the Science of the Secrets of Nature, that after the passing away of the Magi, or of Magic, all the sciences also perished together by the same fate; and in their place arose scribes with long garments, and rapacious wolves, who swaying all rights by their mere nod, threw all things into a state of terrorism. What shall I say? The arts have perished, and in their place a den of robbers has been substituted." - Paracelsus
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