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 64 of 642
Book 1 · Generation · Passage 15
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 206
Latin
Generatio gemmarum fit & fluit ex subtilitate terrae ex pellucido & Crystallino Mercurio, sulphure, & sale, etiam iuxta suos distinctos colores. Sed generatio vulgarium lapidum est ex subtilitate aquae, ex mucilaginoso Mercurio, sulphure, sale. Nam ex mucilagine aquae nascuntur omnes lapides, quin & calculi: & arenae inde in lapides coagulantur, quod oculis patet. Nam quivis lapis in aqua positus cito ad se mucilaginem trahit. Si iam ista mucilaginosa materia a talibus lapidibus accipiatur, & in cucurbita coaguletur, fit inde lapis talis, qualis in ista aqua, sed longo tempore, per se nasceretur & coagularetur, &c.
English
Gems are generated and flow from the subtlety of earth, from transparent and crystalline Mercury, Sulphur and Salt, each according to its distinct colours. Common stones, however, are generated from the subtlety of water, from mucilaginous Mercury, Sulphur and Salt. All stones, including pebbles, arise from the mucilage of water; sand too is coagulated from it into stones, as is evident to the eyes. Any stone placed in water soon attracts mucilage to itself. If that mucilaginous material is taken from such stones and coagulated in a cucurbit, a stone results such as would have arisen and coagulated by itself in that water, but over a long time, and so forth.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 1 · Generation · Book 1 · Generation · Passage 15
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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.