GhazzaWs Alchemy of Happiness. 



65 



attain to the end are exceedingly rare. Perhaps, as in the 

 case of alchemy, it only exists now in name and form. The 

 greater part of the notions and fancies of most of the mys- 

 tics, which they esteem as revelations and mysteries, are 

 nothing but vain triflings and pure self complacency ; just 

 as that while visions are a reality, still mere confused dreams 

 are very abundant. The mystic, however, who by spiritual 

 revelation has learned all that a doctor of the law has been 

 able to learn after many years of study, and who has no re- 

 maining doubts in matters of internal or external know- 

 ledge, is certainly more excellent than the doctor of the 

 law who is learned only in external knowledge, and this 

 should not be denied. And it follows that the way of the 

 mystics must be acknowledged to be a true one, and that 

 you must not destroy the belief of those weak minded and 

 vain persons who follow them ; for, the reason why they 

 cast reproaches upon knowledge and calumniate the doctors 

 of law is that they have no acquirements or knowledge 

 themselves. 



O, inquirer after divine mysteries ! do you ask how it is 

 known that the happiness of man consists in the know- 

 ledge of God, and that his enjoyment consists in the love of 

 God ? We observe in reply, that every man's happiness is 

 found in the place where he obtains enjoyment and tran- 

 quility. Thus sensual enjoyment is found in eating and 

 drinking and the like. The enjoyment of anger is derived 

 from taking revenge and from violence. The enjoyment 

 of the eye consists in the view of correct images and agree- 

 able objects. The enjoyment of the ear is secured in listen- 

 ing to harmonious voices. In the same way the enjoyment 

 of the heart depends upon its being employed in that for 

 which it was created, in learning to know everything in its 

 reality and truth. Hence, every man glories in what he 

 knows, even if the thing is but of little importance. He 



Trans, viii.'] 9 



