These are the central aims of magic as an independent tradition – knowledge and power and control of the mysteries of the cosmos. Such aims can be viewed negatively or positively by ancient authors. The Jewish historian Josephus for example, writes that: "God gave him knowledge of the art that is used against daemons, in order to heal and benefit men". Elsewhere however, "there was an Egyptian false prophet [a magician that did the Jews more mischief... for he was a cheat".