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 173 of 642
Book 4 · Life · Passage 18
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 215
Latin
Ita ignis vita est aer quidam: nam aer ignem vehementius & maiori cum aestu flagrare facit. Procedit etiam ab omni igni aer quidam, ita ut candelam extinguat, vel levem plumam suffumigat, ut oculis patet. Quare omnem vivum ignem, hoc est, ignem flammarum, si obturetur, vel aerem suum emittendi facultate privetur, suffocari necesse est.
English
The life of fire is likewise a certain air, for air makes fire burn more violently and with greater heat. A certain air also proceeds from every fire, enough to extinguish a candle or waft a light feather upward, as is evident to the eyes. Every living fire—that is, a fire of flames—must therefore be suffocated if it is stopped up or deprived of the ability to release its air.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 4 · Life · Book 4 · Life · Passage 18
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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.