Diotimos Library · Renaissance Collection · Bilingual Edition
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
The 1599 German text with a new English translation, introduction, glossary, and notes.
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Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 28
Early New High German
p. 28nissen der Natur vnkündige / vnd der Erfahrung manglende sophistisch ratiocinirende Schulfüchse hier entgegen Phantastisch einwerffen möchten; Sintemal angedeutetē Naturkündigen / Weisen / Tapffern Mennern in andern sachen / davon Sie sonsten auch geschrieben / man gerne Glauben gibt; Als wird Jhnen in diesem hohen puncto je nicht weniger zu trawen vnd zu glauben sein! Mendacium ex professo certè non præsumitur cadere in virum bonum; præsertim tale, quod vergit in proximi detrimentum atq; in dehonestationem sui ipsius.
Lieben Herrn ob schon jhr ein ding in ewre Köpffe nicht bald bringen könnet / so gebüret doch euch darumb nicht dasselbe stracks / als vnwar / zuverwerffen; sondern jhr soltet es viel mehr in seinem werth dahin stellen / vnd be-
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 28-teries of Nature, and wanting in Experience — sophistically ratiocinating School-foxes — might Fantastically throw in against it. For since credit is willingly given to the aforesaid knowers of Nature, Wise and Valiant Men, in other matters on which they have also written, they will be no less to be trusted and believed in this high point! Mendacium ex professo certè non præsumitur cadere in virum bonum; præsertim tale, quod vergit in proximi detrimentum atque in dehonestationem sui ipsius.
Dear Sirs, although you cannot readily get a thing into your Heads, it is not therefore fitting that you should straightway reject that same as untrue; rather you ought much more to leave it standing at its own worth, and to jud-
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 28
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Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum argues that alchemy has one universal subject, that this subject cannot be extracted from the metals, and that nothing in the work can begin without recognizing it. This complete reader begins with the supplied seven-part introduction and orientation, then presents every printed page of the 1599 German treatise opposite its new English translation.
Historical Text and Translation
The German reading text is a fresh diplomatic transcription from 600 dpi images of the Magdeburg copy printed by Johann Bötcher in 1599. It preserves Khunrath’s capitalization, word division, authorial marginal keys, glosses, errata, and three unnumbered closing pages: the errata leaf, owl emblem, and colophon.
About Diotimos Editions
Diotimos Editions prepared the new English translation, introduction, notes, glossary, collation, and editorial apparatus. The translation follows Khunrath directly, retaining his technical vocabulary, changes of register, repetitions, rhetorical questions, and distinctions between German, Latin, and coined terms.
Rights
Heinrich Khunrath’s 1599 German work is in the public domain. The 2026 English translation, introduction, notes, glossary, editorial arrangement, and related matter are original to this edition and remain © 2026 Diotimos.