> "no man is born into the world a master, and for that reason are we obliged to learn. he who applieth himself thereunto, and studieth, learneth; and a man can have no more shameful and evil title than that of being an ignorant person." this section highlights a critical aspect of the book of abramelin: the emphasis on learning and study. magic, particularly divine magic, is not an inherent gift but something that must be cultivated through dedication and the pursuit of knowledge. the critique of ignorance, which abraham describes as "shameful and evil," connects directly to broader philosophical and religious doctrines that equate ignorance with spiritual darkness and separation from the divine. in the medieval context, knowledge is seen as a way of ascending towards divine truth, with ignorance leading to moral and spiritual decay. > "my father, simon, shortly before his death, gave me certain signs and instructions concerning the way in which it is necessary to acquire the holy qabalah... he did not enter into the holy mystery by the true path, and i could not know how to understand the same sufficiently and perfectly as reason demanded." abraham reflects on the legacy of his father, simon, and his incomplete understanding of the sacred mysteries. this is a common theme in esoteric literature: the idea that true knowledge is elusive and must be sought out through multiple teachers and experiences. simons failure to fully grasp the holy qabalah represents the difficulty of mastering divine wisdom, which abraham sees as a deeper, more demanding spiritual practice than his father had realized.
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