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 555 of 642
Book 9 · Signature · Passage 44
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 pp. 260–261
Latin
Ut vero institutum nostrum pertexentes, ad practicam Chiromantiae fodinarum brevissime docendam digrediamur: sciendum est, venas, quo profundiores & latiores, eo vetustiores esse. Ubi vero venarum tractus longissime exporriguntur, & tandem fatiscunt, nec absconduntur, signum id malum est. Sicut enim venarum ductus fatiscunt: ita illarum etiam fodinae fatiscunt, quas profunditate illae indicant. Etsi interdum fodinae bonae inveniantur, quo tamen profundius descenditur, eo subinde magis magisque illae vanescunt, ut labor non nisi cum dispendio urgeri possit. Ubi autem venae illae nobis subinde aliis accessoriis augentur, aut alias saepius abscinduntur: id tum signum faustum est, indicans, fodinas bonas non in propinquo tantum esse, sed easdem etiam in profunditate augeri & multiplicari, & tandem plerunque fodinae opulentiores redditae metallum purum, adeoque thesaurum amplissimum promant.
English
Continuing our purpose and turning to teach briefly the practice of the chiromancy of mines, know that the deeper and broader veins are, the older they are. Where the courses of veins extend a great distance and finally fail without disappearing below ground, that is a bad sign. As their courses fail, so do the mines which they indicate at depth. Although good mines are sometimes found, the deeper one descends the more they dwindle, so that work can continue only at a loss. Where, however, the veins are repeatedly enlarged by other tributaries or frequently cut across by others, that is a favourable sign. It indicates good mines not only nearby but increasing and multiplying at depth, until the mines generally become richer and yield pure metal, and thus a very great treasure.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 9 · Signature · Book 9 · Signature · Passage 44
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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.