There is a saying, whose origin is dim through lapse of time, to the effect that "Knowledge is power." Within well-defined limits this is a verity. If behind the knowledge lies the requisite energy to realize its benefits, then only is it a true saying.
There's an old saying that "Knowledge is power." While its origins are lost to time, this statement holds some truth. However, it's only accurate within certain boundaries. Knowledge becomes truly powerful when paired with the necessary drive to put it into action and reap its rewards.
In order to exercise command over nature and her forces, the would-be operator must have perfect comprehension of the natural laws involved. It is the degree of attainment in this knowledge which marks the less or greater ability of the performer, and those who have acquired the profoundest understanding of the Law (Lex Magnum) are masters whose powers seem so marvelous as to be magical. Uninitiated minds are absolutely alarmed by their incomprehensible manifestations. On every side of me when I came from my mountain home to my metropolitan abode I found inexplicable wonders, but natural dignity saved me from appearing ignorant. Little by little was I to acquire familiarity with my environment, and thereby gain a knowledge of the things which have been referred to since I first mentioned the exchange of country life for urban surroundings. But these attainments of pleasing authority over nature demanded a special course. That course of study had not yet been determined upon by me, prior to my introduction to the city, for it seemed that the part of wisdom was to concentrate my energies upon specialties and not to scatter force by attempting generalities. To this end I determined to live for a more or less extended period without seeking admission to the Xioquithlon, and resolved to devote the interim to observation. I had been an extensive reader of books, which I obtained from the public library in the district where my mountain home had been. From these I had gained no inconsiderable understanding of social polity. The fact that there were but ninety-one elective offices in the gift of the people, while there were almost three hundred millions of Poseidi in Atl and her colonies, and according to a late census which I had seen, thirty-seven, nearly thirty-eight, millions of electors held First Degree diplomas, thus entitling them to hold elective offices, disposed me to think it extremely improbable that such a high preferment would ever fall to my lot. But if I could scarcely expect a ministerial office, I yet felt that I might, if I fitted myself therefor by gaining a prime diploma, attain to a high political level and hold an appointive position, and some of these were almost equally as honorable as a councilorship. What special subjects should I concentrate Upon? Geological research was very attractive to me, and by its numerous branches offered wide and alluring fields of opportunity. Then again, philology was almost as much so; my ability to acquire foreign languages was not inconsiderable, as I had found from studying a little volume descriptive of a land known as Suernis, a strange country, and of the language of which many examples were given; these I had without effort learned perfectly from once reading.
To command nature and her forces, anyone who would work with them must perfectly understand the natural laws involved. The degree of this knowledge marks a performer's lesser or greater ability. Those who have gained the deepest understanding of the Law (Lex Magnum) are masters whose powers seem so marvelous as to be magic. Uninitiated minds are utterly alarmed by their incomprehensible feats. On every side of me, when I came from my mountain home to my city home, I found wonders I could not explain. But natural dignity kept me from appearing ignorant. Little by little I was to grow familiar with my surroundings. In this way I would gain knowledge of the things I have referred to since I first mentioned trading country life for the city. But gaining such pleasing authority over nature required a special course of study. I had not yet chosen that course before I came to the city. It seemed wise to focus my energies on special subjects, and not to scatter my strength by attempting general ones. So I decided to live in the city for a longer or shorter time without seeking admission to the Xioquithlon. I resolved to spend the interval in observation. I had read many books, which I got from the public library in the district of my mountain home. From them I had gained no small understanding of how society was governed. The people had only ninety-one elective offices in their gift. Yet there were almost three hundred million Poseidi in Atl and her colonies. And according to a recent census I had seen, thirty-seven, nearly thirty-eight, million voters held First Degree diplomas, which entitled them to hold elective office. This led me to think it extremely unlikely that such high promotion would ever fall to me. But if I could hardly expect a minister's office, I still felt I might reach a high political level. I could hold an appointed position if I fitted myself for it by earning a prime diploma. Some of these positions were almost as honorable as a seat on the council. What special subjects should I focus on? Geological research greatly attracted me, and its many branches offered wide and inviting fields of opportunity. Philology attracted me almost as much. My ability to learn foreign languages was no small one. I had found this out from studying a little book describing a land called Suernis, a strange country. The book gave many examples of its language. I had learned these perfectly, without effort, from reading them once.
Several months of city residence at length found me determined to acquire all the geological knowledge that I could, for it was a study which I believed Incal had directed me to make, as also a knowledge of mines and of practical mineralogy. As co-efficients I purposed thoroughly to ground myself in synthetic and analytical literature, not alone of my native Poseid, but also that of the Suerni and Necropanic languages. Thus have I named the three greatest nations of pre-Noachian (pre-Nepthian) times. One of these nations was effaced from the earth, but the other two have, after terrible vicissitudes, survived till today; of them I will speak later.
After living in the city for several months, I decided to pursue an in-depth study of geology. I believed this was the path Incal had set for me, along with learning about mines and practical mineralogy. To complement these studies, I planned to thoroughly ground myself in the literature of synthesis and analysis, not just from my native Poseid, but also in the Suerni and Necropanic languages. These three nations were the greatest of pre-Noachian times. One of them was wiped from the earth, but the other two have, despite terrible hardships, survived to this day. I'll discuss them in more detail later.
The reasons which induced me to choose the curriculum which I have mentioned were, that as a geologist and coordinate scientist I hoped to make new discoveries of value, and to place them in book form before the world, at least before the Poseid peoples, who esteemed themselves most of the world, and end scarcely to be attained otherwise than by this course of study. The influence which I hoped to gain through such publications might lead to my becoming Superintendent-General of Mines, a political place not second to any other appointive office. There certainly would be other studies required of me if I entered the race for a prime diploma, but the ones cited were the most agreeable and would constitute my chief aspiration. As an aside, I may remark that those studies then selected, and afterwards mastered, led my nature to assume a bent which resulted, not many yews ago, in my becoming a mine-owner in the State of California—and a successful one, too. It so much more firmly fixed my linguistic leanings that, while a citizen of the United States of America, I was a master not alone of my native tongue, but also of thirteen other modern languages, such as French, German and Spanish, Chinese, several dialectal varieties of Hindustanie, and Sanskrit as a sort, of mental relaxation. Please not to regard this confession as due to boastfulness; it is not. I but make it in order to show thee, my friend, that thine own powers are not matters of heritage only, but recollected acquirements from some one, or it may be of all of thy past lives; also to give thee a hint of profit, to wit: that studies to-day undertaken, no matter how near to the evening of thy days, will surely bear fruit, not alone in thy present earth life, but in the experiences of subsequent incarnations also. We see with all we have seen, we do with all we have done, and we think with all we have thought. Verbum sat sapienti.
I chose the curriculum I have mentioned for these reasons. As a geologist and allied scientist, I hoped to make valuable new discoveries. I hoped to put them in book form before the world, or at least before the Poseid peoples, who thought themselves most of the world. That goal could hardly be reached except by this course of study. The influence I hoped to gain through such books might lead to my becoming Superintendent-General of Mines. This was a political post second to no other appointed office. Certainly other studies would be required of me if I entered the race for a prime diploma. But the ones I named were the most pleasing to me, and would be my chief aim. As an aside, I may remark on what these studies did for me. I chose them then and mastered them afterward, and they gave my nature a bent. Not many years ago, that bent led to my becoming a mine owner in the State of California, and a successful one, too. It also fixed my leaning toward languages far more firmly. So while I was a citizen of the United States of America, I was a master not only of my native tongue but also of thirteen other modern languages. These included French, German, and Spanish, Chinese, several dialects of Hindustani, and Sanskrit as a sort of mental relaxation. Please do not take this confession as boasting, for it is not. I make it only to show you, my friend, that your own powers are not only inherited. They are acquirements recollected from one, or perhaps all, of your past lives. I also make it to give you a useful hint. Studies you take up today, however near the evening of your days, will surely bear fruit. They will bear fruit not only in your present earth life, but also in the experiences of later incarnations. We see with all we have seen, we do with all we have done, and we think with all we have thought. Verbum sat sapienti: a word to the wise is enough.
In the next chapter I purpose devoting some pages to a consideration of physical science, as understood by the Poseidi; more especially will I refer to the prime principles upon which it was based, inasmuch as neglect, to do this would necessitate the taking of many statements ex cathedra which otherwise might be clearly understood at the moment.
In the following chapter, I will explore the physical sciences as understood by the Poseidi civilization. I'll focus primarily on the fundamental principles that formed the foundation of their scientific knowledge. This approach will help clarify many concepts that might otherwise require acceptance without explanation.