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 118 of 642
Book 3 · Preservation · Passage 14
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 212
Latin
Est & notanda conservatio potabilium, sub quibus intelligimus vinum, cerevisiam, hydromeli, acetum & lac. Si iam ista quinque sine noxa & in sua virtute conservare volumus, summe necessarium est bene nosse ipsorum summum hostem: qui quidem non est alius quam impurae mulieres tempore menstrui fluentis. Nam illae dictas res, si eas praesent, circa eas versentur, eas inspiciant & anhelitu tangant, corrumpunt. Vinum enim mutatur & fit pendulum, cerevisia & hydromeli acescunt, acetum infirmatur & acredinem suam amittit: lac etiam acescit & coagulatur.
English
The preservation of drinkables must also be considered: by these we mean wine, beer, mead, vinegar and milk. To preserve these five without damage and in their virtue, their greatest enemy must be well known. It is none other than impure women during the flow of menstruation: if they press these things, move around them, look at them or touch them with their breath, they corrupt them. Wine changes and becomes ropy, beer and mead turn sour, vinegar weakens and loses its sharpness, and milk too sours and coagulates.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 3 · Preservation · Book 3 · Preservation · Passage 14
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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.