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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition

Anonymous (traditionally attributed to Anton Joseph Kirchweger)

The Golden Chain of Homer

A New Translation from the German Edition of 1723

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The Golden Chain of Homer23 What the Generation of Minerals Is and Which Principles Constitute Them

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German & Latin Page · Branch 219 of 504

23 What the Generation of Minerals Is and Which Principles Constitute Them

German & Latin

1723 pp 162–163

Man nimmt ja viele Rathsherrn in den Rath: Denn was einem nicht beyfällt, fällt doch dem andern bey. Also auch viel Autores zusammen erklären einer vor dem andern die Natur je besser als ein ander: Denn wenn einer seine Sache gut gemacht hat, hat er doch nicht alles gewust, noch alle und jede Circumstantias beschreiben können, noch auf alles gedencken, weil jeder Minute andere Gedancken einfallen. Darum was dieser oder jener ausgelassen, das beschreibet ein anderer und erkläret jenen, oder jener diesen, aus welchen dann sich der Leser auch corrigiret, und Scopum prius neglectum kennet. Also mache es der Leser mit dieser meiner Schrifft auch. Gefällt ihm ein Punct nicht, so lasse er ihm den andern gefallen, es wird eins drinnen seyn, dessen das Pappier werth ist. Habe ich keine gute Theoriam, so habe ich doch eine gute Praxin oder andere gute Handgriffe, die manchen gar wohl taugen werden.

1723 pp 162–163

The Golden Chain of Homer: 23 What the Generation of Minerals Is and Which Principles Constitute Them

1723 pp 162–163

Many councillors are admitted to a council: what does not occur to one occurs to another. So too, authors considered together explain nature, one better than another. Even when someone has done his work well, he has not known everything, described every circumstance, or thought of everything, since other thoughts occur every minute. What one author omits, another describes and explains; one illuminates the other. From them the reader corrects himself and recognizes an aim previously overlooked. Let him treat this writing of mine in the same way. If he dislikes one point, let another please him: there will be something in it worth the paper. If I lack a good theory, I nevertheless have good practice or other useful manipulations that will serve many people very well.

1723 pp 162–163

About This Reading Edition

The two-book alchemical work of 1723 in German with a new English translation, 399 notes, eight historical diagrams, chapter outlines, keyword essays, a glossary, bibliography, subject index, and 400 discussion questions.

Discussion Questions

Historical Text and Translation

Anonymous, Aurea Catena Homeri. Frankfurt and Leipzig: Johann Georg Böhme, 1723. Traditionally attributed to Anton Joseph Kirchweger; the attribution remains uncertain. Historical diagrams from the Stiftung der Werke von C. G. Jung copy digitized by e-rara.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The supplied edition identifies the 1723 German source and historical diagrams as public-domain material. Its new English translation and editorial apparatus are published with the site owner’s authorization. The complete original files are retained unchanged.