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 482 of 642
Book 9 · Signature · Passage 17
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 pp. 251–252
Latin
Quod si quis hoc loco contra nos argumentetur, dicens, Signa Physionomiae ab Astris esse, Astra autem neminem cogendi, compellendi & incitandi potestatem habere: is quidem male non loquitur: sed tamen discrimen aliquod in eo est comprimis notandum, quod alium Astra cogant, alium non cogant. Hic iam sciendum est, quisnam Astra regere ac coercere possit, aut quis ab Astris gubernetur. Itaque pro hoc notandum est, virum sapientem dominari Astris posse, nec vero illis subiectum esse. Astra sapienti subdita sunt, & ei obsecundare coguntur, non ipse Astris. Animalem autem hominem Astra cogunt, compellunt, coercent, ut quo ducunt, sequatur, non secus ac fur patibulum, latro rotam, piscator pisces, auceps aves, venator feras sectatur. Hic quid aliud in caussa est, quam quod homo eiusmodi nec seipsum, nec suas vires aut novit aut impendit, nec cogitat, se minorem mundum esse, ac Firmamentum universum cum suis viribus intra se conditum habere?
English
If someone argues against us here that the signs of physiognomy come from the stars, but the stars have no power to force, compel or incite anyone, he does not speak badly. Yet one distinction must especially be observed: the stars compel one person and do not compel another. We must therefore know who can rule and restrain the stars and who is governed by them. Observe that a wise person can rule the stars and is not subject to them. The stars are subject to the wise and are compelled to obey them, rather than the wise obeying the stars. But the stars force, compel and constrain the animal person to follow where they lead, just as a thief follows the gallows, a robber the wheel, a fisherman fish, a fowler birds and a hunter beasts. What else causes this except that such a person neither knows nor employs himself or his powers, nor considers that he is the lesser world and contains within himself the whole firmament with all its powers?
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 9 · Signature · Book 9 · Signature · Passage 17
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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.