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.
Explore the LexiconSwipe or use the arrow keys.
English Page · Branch 31 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 24
Early New High German
p. 24VNO, in ALCHYMIA, NON DARI, das / in ALCHYMIA, nicht mehr als nur EIN VNIVERSALE oder ALGEMEINES sey; Vnd der Sophist bescheidener hiervon reden; auch der Schwetzige Schwermer / so dissfals viel vnnützes vermessenes gewäsche gehabt / seinen hiergegen Trotzigen Beelzebubischen Hummelschwarm / in gegenwart NATVR-Verstendiger Leute / forthin billich einstellen solle vnd müsse.
Wolte aber von irgend jemand (wie Ich dann wol weis / das hin vnd wieder etliche / sonderlich auch azu Hoff / in hohen Schulen / vnd sonsten / vnter Geistlichen vnnd Weltlichen / wiewol jhres Standes / Ampts vnd Profession halben ansehenliche / jedoch in diesem geheimnis vnuerstendige Leute sein) durchaus verneinet wer-
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 24VNO, in ALCHYMIA, NON DARI — that in ALCHYMIA there is no more than only ONE VNIVERSALE or universal thing; and the Sophist ought to speak more modestly of this; and the Babbling Fanatic, who has had a deal of useless and presumptuous prattle in the matter, ought and must henceforth properly call off his Defiant Beelzebubian swarm of hornets in the presence of people who understand Nature.
But if it should be by anyone — as indeed I well know that here and there certain people, especially also aat Court, in the high Schools, and elsewhere, among Clergy and Laity, persons of consequence in respect of their Estate, Office and Profession, yet without understanding in this mystery, are to be found — flatly de-
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 24
Ask about a concept, passage, contradiction, or connection.
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.