Jabir ibn Hayyan

Chemistry Persian 721 – 815 415 quotes

Father of chemistry, pioneered experimental methods

Quotes by Jabir ibn Hayyan

The most important thing in chemistry is to be persistent.

Kitab al-Kimya (Book of Chemistry)

The art of alchemy is a dangerous art.

Kitab al-Kimya (Book of Chemistry)

The world is a mystery, and chemistry is one of its keys.

Kitab al-Kimya (Book of Chemistry)

The chemist must be a master of his own emotions.

Kitab al-Kimya (Book of Chemistry)

The secrets of nature are guarded by fire.

Kitab al-Kimya (Book of Chemistry)

The first essential in chemistry is that thou shouldest perform practical work and conduct experiments, for he who performs not practical work nor makes experiments will never attain to the least degree of mastery.

Various attributed works

The purpose is to baffle and lead into error everyone except those whom God loves and provides for.

Various attributed works

All metals are composed of mercury and sulphur in different proportions.

Theory of the Balance

One cannot achieve anything in alchemy without mathematics.

Various attributed works

The greatest work is the multiplication.

On the Multiplication

Our science is a true science, but the ignorant pretend it is false.

Various attributed works

The art of alchemy is the imitation of nature.

Various attributed works

The physician cannot be perfect without the knowledge of alchemy.

Various attributed works

The soul is a substance that is simple, knowing, and perceiving.

Book of Definitions

The mineral kingdom is like the vegetable kingdom, but slower.

Various attributed works

The wise man rules the stars; the fool is ruled by them.

Various attributed works

The whole secret lies in the knowledge of the Balance.

Book of the Balance

He who knows the theory but not the practice is like a bird with one wing.

Various attributed works

The four natures are heat, cold, dryness, and moisture.

Theory of the Balance

The elixir is the medicine of medicines.

On the Elixir