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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Facing Pages · Branch 178 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 171
Early New High German
p. 171stengler also leichtlich hinweh† fangen kan! Helt man jhnen dann fundamentaliter wiederpart / welches Behamsche Dörffer seind in jhren köpffen / so donnern vnd pralen sie gewaltig herein von jhren künstlichen Handgriffen / vielem laboriren / grossen Vbungen vnd trefflichen Erfarungen in Alchymia; schmehen vnd pochen noch wol darzu / wann man jhnen allerdinges nicht wil recht geben noch gleuben; wollen Wunden hawen / darff nicht sagen wie gros. Oho / lieben groben freunde / solche Kreutlein seind mir wol ehe fürkommen; Dein sudlen / Kochen / Kolen verbrennen / auch viel Silber / Gold vnd anderer vielerley guter Materialium verderben / wird dir zu Erkentnis MAGNESIAE weniger dann nichts nütze sein / wo Natürlicher grund / Vernünfftige obseruationes aus den
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 171-twig man can so easily catch them†! If one then holds out against them fundamentally — which are Bohemian villages in their heads — they thunder and brag mightily in upon one about their artful Hand-grips, their much laborating, their great Exercises and excellent Experiences in Alchemy; and they revile and bluster into the bargain when one will not grant them right in all points, nor believe them; they mean to hew Wounds — may not say how great. Oho, dear coarse friends, such little herbs have come my way before now. Thy sullying, Cooking, burning of Coals, and spoiling besides of much Silver, Gold and other manifold good Materials, will be less than nothing worth to thee toward the Recognition of MAGNESIA, where Natural ground and Reasonable observations out of the
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 171
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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.