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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Early New High German Page · Branch 169 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 162
Early New High German
p. 162sollen / bis so lange Ich Lapidem Philosophorum daraus aller dinges verfertiget / vnd darmit transmutiret hette / die antwort auff solche jre rede nun selbst schliessen. Sie mögen aber auch dieses darneben wissen / Ob Ich schon nimmermer erlebete / das Ich Lapidem Philosophorum vollkömlich daraus præpariren möchte / (weil solches in GOTTES gewaltiger Hand vnd vnerforschlichem wissen stehet) vnd zur Transmutation Metallorum dadurch jemals gereichte / wolte Ich mir dannoch deswegen keine grawe Hare wachsen lassen; gleichwol aber deinethalben vnd vor dir / schmehe vnnd schandvogel / die wahre Erkendtnis rechter MAGNESIAE behalten; auch wol ein wahrer Philosophus sein vnd bleiben / vnd an denen von GOTT mir verliehenen Gaben ( auch Alchymiam / zuuerstehen / in
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 162until such time as I had made the Lapis Philosophorum out of it in all points, and had transmuted with it — they too may now themselves draw the answer to such talk of theirs. But let them know this besides: even if I should never live to Prepare the Lapis Philosophorum perfectly out of it (since such a thing stands in GOD’S mighty Hand and unsearchable knowledge), and never through it came to the Transmutation of Metals, I would for all that let no grey hair grow on me for the sake of it; yet nevertheless, for thy sake and before thy face, thou slander- and shame-bird, I would keep the true Recognition of right MAGNESIA; and would well be and remain a true Philosopher, and in those Gifts lent me by GOD (Alchemy too — understand it — in
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 162
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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.