Plain English Translation, Asclepius, Section 15, Treatise II of Corpus Hermeticum
The Perfect Discourse of Hermes Trismegistus
Introduction
This is a plain English translation and commentary of this ancient Hermetic text. It is an easy-to-understand, step-by-step, non-academic translation and commentary on this sacred text. You can read an introduction here:
As new sections and articles are written on the Asclepius treatise, they will be added to the below list:
Section 15
G.R.S. Mead Translation
Hermes: For that as mighty is the Greatness of the Good as is the Being of all things that are — both bodies and things bodiless, things sensible and intelligible things. Call not thou, therefore, aught else Good, for thou would’st impious be; nor anything at all at any time call God but Good alone, for so thou would’st again be impious.
Plain English Translation
Hermes: The greatness of the Good is as immense as the existence of everything that is — this includes physical objects, non-physical entities, things we can perceive, and things we can understand with our minds. Therefore, you shouldn’t call anything else ‘Good’ except for this, as it would be disrespectful. Similarly, you should never refer to anything as ‘God’ except for the Good alone, because to do so would also be disrespectful.
Commentary
The modern translation of this section of Hermes’ discourse to Asclepius in the Hermetic texts offers an insight into the Hermetic understanding of the concepts of ‘Good’ and ‘God.’ This passage is a reflection of the tradition’s philosophical and theological explorations.
Equating the Good with the Greatness of Existence
Hermes begins by asserting that the greatness of the Good is equivalent to the very existence of all things. This includes not only physical bodies but also non-physical entities, sensory experiences, and intellectual concepts. In Hermetic thought, the Good is not a mere moral attribute but a fundamental aspect of the universe’s existence. It is an all-encompassing principle that underlies and pervades everything.
Exclusivity of the Term ‘Good’
Hermes advises that the term ‘Good’ should be reserved exclusively for this all-encompassing principle. To apply it to anything else would be considered impious or disrespectful. This stance stems from the belief that no other entity or concept fully encapsulates the absolute nature of the Good as the foundational principle of existence and reality.
God as the Embodiment of the Good
Similarly, Hermes instructs that the term ‘God’ should only be used to refer to the Good. This is a significant theological statement, as it equates God not just with a supreme being or creator but with the very principle of goodness that is the essence of all existence. In this view, God is not merely a deity with certain attributes; God is the embodiment of the ultimate, transcendent Good.
Implications for Understanding Divinity
This passage has deep implications for understanding the nature of divinity in Hermetic philosophy. It suggests a view of God that transcends anthropomorphic conceptions and traditional religious narratives. Instead, God is understood as a fundamental, all-pervasive principle that is synonymous with the highest form of goodness.
Moral and Philosophical Dimensions
The emphasis on not attributing the term ‘Good’ or ‘God’ to anything other than this ultimate principle also carries moral and philosophical dimensions. It implies a certain reverence for the concept of the Good and a caution against diluting its significance by applying it inappropriately. This reflects a broader Hermetic emphasis on the purity of philosophical and theological concepts.
Hermetic Approach to Theology and Ethics
This section of the Hermetic texts illustrates the tradition’s unique approach to theology and ethics. It encapsulates key aspects of Hermetic thought, particularly its focus on the transcendence and all-encompassing nature of the Good, and the identification of this Good with the concept of God. This perspective offers a distinctive viewpoint on the relationship between divinity, morality, and the nature of existence.
