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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English Page · Branch 73 of 642
Book 2 · Growth · Passage 2
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 207
Latin
Cum igitur ut dictum est, humiditas & caliditas omnia maturent & crescere faciant, nemo miretur, quod homini malefico in patibulo aut rota post longum tempus, barba, capilli, & ungues nascantur, neque pro signo innocentiae ipsius habeatur, ut imperiti iudicant, hoc enim naturale est, & ex naturalibus causis fluit. Nam dum humiditas in homine est, crescunt ipsi ungues, barba & capilli: & quod maius est, homini sepulto in terra ipsa nascuntur ungues, barba & capilli, usque ad secundum annum vel usque ad putrefactionem ipsius, &c.
English
Since moisture and heat mature everything and make it grow, as stated, no one should be surprised that the beard, hair and nails of an evildoer on the gallows or wheel grow after a long time. Nor should it be held a sign of innocence, as the unskilled judge: it is natural and flows from natural causes. As long as moisture remains in a person, the nails, beard and hair grow. More than that, the nails, beard and hair of a person buried in the earth grow until the second year or until that person’s putrefaction, and so forth.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 2 · Growth · Book 2 · Growth · Passage 2
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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.