Theosophical Correspondence.

Translation from German by Robert Hutwohl^[1]

Question: — What is meant by the “study of Theosophy,” and does it not hinder the natural development of man by alienating him from his daily duties?

          Answer: — The “study of Theosophy,” as it is erroneously called, does not consist in the study of phantasms and musings on occult matters, or in the agonizing over metaphysical questions which the animal mind cannot comprehend, but Theosophy or wisdom is acquired by accustoming oneself to entertain only good and noble thoughts and to act accordingly. By “wisdom” is meant the ability to distinguish between good and evil, truth and appearance, and the study of theosophical teachings is not its own end, but only the means to attain this distinction. It would be very strange if a man were hindered from the discharge of his daily duties by his striving to improve and ennoble himself. In fact, he will only progress spiritually by conscientiously fulfilling his duties, and the more selflessly and lovingly he does so, the more he enables himself to absorb the light of truth, and that light is Theosophy.

Note

^[1] Theosophical Correspondence. The Study of Theosophy. By Dr. Franz Hartmann [Theosophische Korrespondenz. Das Studium der Theosophie. Von Dr. Franz Hartmann. Theosophischer Wegweiser 8, no, 5 (February 1907), 163] {This article was reformatted from the original, but with the content unchanged other than minor typos, translation from German by Robert Hutwohl, ©2025}