On the Tincture of Gold or True Potable Gold

riches are sought by the avaricious, who, for some process of absolutely no value, pay out some 100 or 1000, etc., thinking the art to be for sale; not considering that a merchant would keep a good and certain art for himself and would not seek the money of others.

I would not, however, deny that some artist might be the possessor of some secret, either discovered by his own efforts or handed down to him by a friend, which, due to poverty, he himself cannot put into action, and therefore has need to implore the resources of others; for wealth and the arts do not always meet; such men are not undeservedly helped by the rich who rely upon divine blessing. But caution must be taken here, lest the mite be the fruit at the time of harvest, the florin the crop, with the greatest loss of both wealth and reputation.

Who is so blind, even if one-eyed, that he does not notice the trifles of such avaricious braggarts? Even if the sun, by the favor of divine grace, shines upon the impious and wicked as well as the honest and pious, yet it was never heard that any of the true Philosophers was a chatterbox or a peddler of trifles, who handled secrets in secret. But it is especially to be wondered at that even the most learned and wisest, or most prudent of this age, are so blinded that they are willing to be deceived by such wandering rogues.

A fourth class of seekers are men of a different condition, not seeking wealth, riches, and honors, but only the glory of God and the benefit of their neighbor, content with food and raiment