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 194 of 642
Book 5 · Death · Passage 6
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 pp. 217–218
Latin
Similiter sciatis quamlibet laminam ferri vel chalybis, si aqua forti linatur, etiam pulcrum crocum reddere. Ita etiam fit cum oleo vitrioli, aqua salis, aqua aluminis, aqua salis Armoniaci, aqua salis nitri, Mercurio sublimato, quae omnia ferrum mortificant, & in crocum redigunt, sed nullus ex istis modis, superioribus duobus est comparandus: nam solum modo in Alchimia usurpari possunt, & prorsus non in medicina, quare utaris duobus primis modis, & reliquos omitte & fuge.
English
Know likewise that any plate of iron or steel anointed with aqua fortis also yields a fine crocus. It happens too with oil of vitriol, water of salt, water of alum, water of sal ammoniac, water of salt nitre and sublimed Mercury, all of which mortify iron and reduce it to crocus. None of these methods compares with the first two: they can be used only in alchemy, absolutely not in medicine. Therefore use the first two methods and omit and avoid the rest.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 5 · Death · Book 5 · Death · Passage 6
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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.