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
Explore the LexiconSwipe or use the arrow keys.
Latin Page · Branch 485 of 642
Book 9 · Signature · Passage 18
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 252
Latin
Qua de caussa animalis & insipidus homo vocatur, foedaeque servitutis ac terrenorum omnium mancipium, cum tamen a Deo in Paradiso privilegium acceperit, ut ceteris creaturis universis imperaret & dominaretur, nec eis obediret. Ideo omnium quoque novissime ipsum creavit, ceteris universis iam ante ipsum conditis. Hoc ius postea per lapsum homo perdidit. Ipsa tamen sapientia hominis servilis minime facta est, nec libertatem suam ille manumisit. Unde opus est, Astra ipsum sequi, eique obedire, non ipsum Astris. Et licet is quidem filius Saturni Saturnusque ipsius Ascendens sit: potest tamen seipsum illi subducere, & ita eum vincere, ut soboles Solis fiat, adeoque sese alii planetae subiiciat, ac se eius filium faciat. Et idem fere hic evenit, quod fossori, qui fodinarum domino aliquandiu suam operam elocavit, & cum vitae periculo provinciam suam recte administravit, tandem vero hoc discursu rationem secum init: Ecquid tandem futurum de te sit, si vitam omnem sub terram transigas, & continuis laboribus urgendis insuper etiam corpus ac vitam ipsam in discrimen voces? Dimissione a meo Domino impetrata, herum alium sectabor, ubi mihi vita suavis fluat, ubi cibi potusque copia affluat, ubi vestes niteant, ubi nihil operae, multum mercedis detur, ubi ab incumbente monte nihil oppressionis impendeat, &c. Hoc ille quidem medio seipsum dominum constituere potest, cum alias per omnem vitam servus & mercenarius mansurus fuisset, duris laboribus & victu tenui tabescens, &c.
English
For this reason he is called an animal and foolish person, a slave to foul servitude and all earthly things, although in Paradise he received from God the privilege of ruling and commanding all other creatures rather than obeying them. God therefore created him last, after all the others. Through the Fall the human being subsequently lost this right. Yet human wisdom itself has not become servile, nor has the wise person surrendered his freedom. The stars must therefore follow and obey him, rather than he the stars. Even if he is a son of Saturn and Saturn is his ascendant, he can withdraw himself and overcome Saturn so as to become an offspring of the Sun, submitting himself to another planet and making himself its son. Something much the same happens to a miner who has hired out his labour for a time to the owner of mines and performed his task properly at the risk of his life, but at last reasons with himself: “What will become of you if you spend your whole life underground and, besides enduring constant labour, put your body and life at risk? Once I obtain my master’s leave, I shall seek another employer, where life flows pleasantly, food and drink abound, clothes shine, there is no work and much pay, and no mountain threatens to crush me.” By this means he can make himself his own master, whereas otherwise he would have remained a servant and wage labourer throughout life, wasting away in hard work and scant nourishment.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 9 · Signature · Book 9 · Signature · Passage 18
Ask about a concept, passage, contradiction, or connection.
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.