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 175
Early New High German
p. 175Dann die / so da die rechte vnd wahre MAGNESIAM der Philosophorum nicht haben / die haben auch den rechten grund LAPIDIs Philosophorum nicht; Arbeiten derwegen also / wie alle Sophisten oder jrrende / ohne das fundament der Warheit.
Vnd weil auch jhre Pseudo-magnesiæ falsch / jrrig / vnd hierzu von vnkrefften / So ist auch das Werck / das sie daraus zu erlangen verhoffen / nichtig / falsch vnd vntüchtig; wann sie gleich noch so grossen kosten / fleiss / Mühe vnd Arbeit anwendeten. Es ist doch alles vergebens: dann wie sol das jenige daraus her-kommen / So darinnen nicht ist? Ist derowegen vnmüglich / das ein einig Mensch durch Pseudo-Magnesias zum LAPIDE VNIVERSALI, TINCTVRA, ELIXEIRI oder war-
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 175For those who have not the right and true MAGNESIA of the Philosophers have not the right ground of the LAPIS of the Philosophers either; and they therefore work as all Sophists or erring men do, without the foundation of Truth.
And since their Pseudo-magnesias are false, erroneous, and moreover without power, so too is the Work null, false and unfit that they hope to attain out of them — though they should lay out ever so great cost, diligence, Pains and Labour upon it. It is all in vain: for how should that come out of it which is not in it? It is therefore impossible that any single man should ever come by Pseudo-Magnesias to the VNIVERSAL STONE, the TINCTURE, the ELIXIR, or to genu-
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 175
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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.