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 40
Early New High German
p. 40bey den haren herzu gezogen / findet ALLE (ALLE / Sag Ich) die jenigen Proprietates, Qualitates vnd Conditiones, so Ich von Meiner / zusampt aller wahren Philosophorum / MAGNESIA VNIVERSali / in diesem tractatu zum Beweis lehre / schreibe vnd andeute; Findet jhr / durch eingebung des H. Geistes / solcher gestalt / eine vnfehlbare analogiam harmonicam ewerer Materiæ vnd Vnserer MAGNESIAE, so ists gut / vnd möget jhr als dann erst bestendig schliessen / das jhr auff dem rechten wege der Warheit / auch hierinne mit Vns einig seid / vnd der Philosophen MAGNESIAM CATHOLICAM recht wisset. Ewer vnzeitiges trotziges rühmen / falsche opiniones vnd spöttisch calumniren, wird sich hierauff wol selbst stillen: Ja / mit grossem schemen vnd hertzlichen bereuhen /
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 40dragged in by the hair — ALL (ALL, I say) those Properties, Qualities and Conditions which I teach, write and intimate by way of proof in this treatise concerning My own, and together with it all true Philosophers’, MAGNESIA VNIVERSALIS. If in such fashion you find, by the inspiration of the H[oly] Spirit, an unfailing harmonic analogy between your Material and Ours, then it is well; and then, and not before, you may conclude with assurance that you are upon the right road of Truth, that in this too you are at one with Us, and that you rightly know the MAGNESIA CATHOLICA of the Philosophers.
Your untimely, defiant boasting, false opinions and scornful calumniating will then no doubt quiet itself: yes, with great shame and hearty repentance,
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 40
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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.