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 25 of 642
Book 1 · Generation · Passage 2
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 pp. 200–201
Latin
Cum igitur putrefactio sit primus gradus & initium ad generationem; summe necessarium est, ut putrefactionem bene cognoscamus. Sunt autem multiplices putrefactiones, & una generationem suam aliter quam altera profert, una quoque citius quam altera. Diximus etiam humidum & calidum esse primum gradum, & initium ad putrefactionem, quae omnes res procreat, ut gallina sua ova. Quapropter per & in putrefactione omne mucilaginosum phlegma & materia viva fit, quidcunque tandem id sit. Exemplum videtis in ovis, in quibus est humiditas mucilaginosa, quae quolibet perpetuo calore putrefit & animatur in pullum vivum, non solum calore gallinae, sed quolibet tali calore. Nam in tali gradu ignis possunt ova in vitro & cineribus maturari, & viva avicula fieri: etiam quilibet homo sub sua axilla ovum maturare potest, & pullum procreare tam bene ac gallina.
English
Since putrefaction is the first stage and beginning of generation, it is absolutely necessary to know it well. There are many kinds of putrefaction: one brings forth its generation differently from another, and one sooner than another. We also said that moisture and heat are the first stage and beginning of putrefaction, which produces everything as a hen produces her eggs. Through and in putrefaction, therefore, every mucilaginous phlegm and material becomes alive, whatever it eventually may be. You see an example in eggs: they contain a mucilaginous moisture which putrefies under any continuous heat and is animated into a living chick, through the hen’s heat or any heat of that kind. In such a degree of fire, eggs can mature in glass and ashes and become living birds. A person can even mature an egg under the armpit and produce a chick as well as a hen.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 1 · Generation · Book 1 · Generation · 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.