Theosophical Correspondence.

Translation from German by Robert Hutwohl^[1]

Question: — What is the value of studying theosophical teachings?

          Answer: — For someone who is content with theory alone, this study has no practical value. At most, it can satisfy his scientific curiosity and teach him a higher world view; but he himself does not get any further. He is like a person who studies a map behind his stove, but despite all this does not travel and only knows his immediate surroundings. But for someone who wants to put these teachings into practice, they have great value; for theory and practice complement each other; one without the other has little value. Theory only becomes certain through one’s own experience and practice, and practicing something one does not understand can easily turn out wrong. Theory is the guide. A blind man who does not know the way runs the risk of falling into the ditch. A theoretical knowledge of theosophical teachings is by no means a self-knowledge of the truth or “theosophy,” nor is it the path to it. These teachings are nothing but signposts, which indicate the paths that lead to the Way, which no one can find anywhere else than in the light of wisdom itself. You cannot teach anyone theosophy. You cannot give someone intelligence if he does not have it. Wisdom is only attained through the knowledge of the truth.

Note

^[1] Theosophical Correspondence. What is the value of studying theosophical teachings? By Dr. Franz Hartmann. [Theosophische Korrespondenz. Welchen Wert hat das Studium der theosophischen Lehren? Von Dr. Franz Hartmann. Theosophischer Wegweiser 8, no, 7 (April 1907), 220] {Translation from German by Robert Hutwohl, ©2025}