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 control nature's forces, one must fully grasp the natural laws at play. Mastery of these laws distinguishes the skilled from the novice. Those with the deepest understanding of the Grand Law seem to possess magical powers, baffling the uninitiated. When I moved from my mountain home to the city, I encountered countless marvels. My natural poise kept me from appearing ignorant as I gradually familiarized myself with my new surroundings. However, gaining command over nature required specialized study, which I hadn't yet chosen upon arriving in the city. I decided to focus on specific areas rather than spread myself too thin. I resolved to observe city life for a while before seeking admission to the Xioquithlon. My extensive reading had given me a solid understanding of social politics. With nearly 300 million people in Atl and its colonies, and only 91 elective offices, I knew my chances of holding such a position were slim. However, I believed I could aim for a high-level appointive position by earning a prime diploma. I contemplated which subjects to focus on. Geological research appealed to me, offering diverse opportunities. Philology was equally attractive; I had a natural aptitude for languages, as evidenced by my effortless mastery of Suernian from a single reading of a descriptive volume.
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 this curriculum as a geologist and scientist hoping to make valuable new discoveries and publish them, particularly for the Poseid people who considered themselves the center of the world. This goal was difficult to achieve otherwise. I hoped the influence gained from these publications might lead to my appointment as Superintendent-General of Mines, a top political position. While other studies were required for a prime diploma, these were my main focus and most enjoyable. Interestingly, these studies later led me to become a successful mine-owner in California. They also strengthened my linguistic abilities, allowing me to master not only my native tongue but thirteen other modern languages, including French, German, Spanish, Chinese, several Hindi dialects, and Sanskrit for mental relaxation. I'm not boasting; I'm illustrating that your own abilities aren't just inherited but recollected from past lives. This should encourage you: studies undertaken even late in life will bear fruit not only now but in future incarnations. We see with all we've seen, do with all we've done, and think with all we've thought. A word to the wise is sufficient.
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.