Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition
Nine Books on the Nature of Things
A fresh translation from the early Latin text with annotations and study apparatus
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Latin Page · Branch 115 of 642
Book 3 · Preservation · Passage 13
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 pp. 211–212
Latin
Possunt & omnia ligna, ut in aedificiis, pontibus, navibus, & ubicunque sint, conservari, ita ut in aeternum non putrescant, sive sint in aquis, sive sub aquis, vel extra aquam, etiam in terra, sub terra vel extra terram, sive sint posita in pluvia vel vento, aere, nive vel glacie, aestatis vel hyemis tempore: praeterea ne cariosa fiant, nec ulli vermes in illis generentur, quandocunque etiam sint caesa. Conservativum autem illud est magnum Arcanum contra omnes putrefactiones, imo tam insigne secretum, ut nullum ei comparari possit. Est autem nihil aliud, quam oleum sulphuris, cuius processus talis est: Pulvericetur vulgare flavum sulphur, & ponatur in cucurbita, cui superfundatur fortissimae aquae fortis tantum, ut quatuor transversos digitos superemineat, hanc abstrahe per distillationem ter vel quater, ultimo usque ad siccitatem. Sulphur quod in fundo remanet nigri & rufi coloris, ponatur in marmore vel in vitro, & facile in oleum solvetur: quod magnum secretum est in conservatione ligni, ut in perpetuum non putrescat, & a vermibus praeservetur. Nam si sulphur eo modo quo dictum est, praeparetur, & in oleum vertatur, tingit postea lignum eo perunctum, ita ut non possit ex illo elui. Possunt & multo plura in hoc oleo sulphuris conservari & praeservari a putredine, & praecipue restes & funes in navibus & malis navium, in curribus, retibus piscatoriis, nassis aucupum & venatorum, & omnia similia, quae saepe in aquis & pluviis usurpantur, & alias facile corrumpuntur & franguntur, ita & linteamina & alia multa similia.
English
All wood, whether in buildings, bridges, ships or anywhere else, can also be preserved so that it never rots: in or under water, out of water, in or under earth, out of earth, exposed to rain, wind, air, snow or ice, in summer or winter. It can also be protected from worm-eating and the generation of any worms, whenever it was cut. This preservative is a great arcanum against every putrefaction, so outstanding a secret that none can compare with it. It is nothing but oil of sulphur, whose process is as follows. Powder common yellow sulphur and place it in a cucurbit; pour on enough of the strongest aqua fortis to stand four transverse fingerbreadths above it. Draw it off by distillation three or four times, finally to dryness. Place the black and reddish sulphur remaining at the bottom on marble or in glass, and it will readily dissolve into an oil. This is a great secret for preserving wood so that it never rots and remains protected from worms. Sulphur prepared and converted to oil in this way stains wood anointed with it so that it cannot be washed out. Many other things can also be kept from putrefaction in this oil of sulphur, especially cords and ropes on ships and masts, on wagons, fishing nets, snares of birdcatchers and hunters, and similar things often used in water and rain which otherwise readily decay and break, as well as linen and many comparable things.
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Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 3 · Preservation · Book 3 · Preservation · Passage 13
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Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
The complete supplied Latin–English edition of the historical title, dedication and all nine books, with 363 separately labelled historical marginal notes, 117 modern annotations and the complete Diotimos study apparatus. The transmitted composite work is traditionally attributed to Paracelsus; individual authorship remains qualified.
Historical Text and Translation
The normalized Latin follows the complete 1605 Frankfurt Palthenian witness, volume six, printed pages 198–271, in SUB Göttingen PPN578052199, historical scans 182–255. Earlier textual tradition is German; the individual translator of the 1605 Latin text is not identified. The dedication’s 1537 date is transmitted text, not an established date for the composite work.
About Diotimos Editions
This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.
Rights
The historical Latin text is in the public domain. The fresh English translation and editorial material were prepared with AI assistance for Diotimos Editions in 2026 and are published with the site owner’s authorization.