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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Facing Pages · Branch 102 of 642
Book 3 · Preservation · Passage 8
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 pp. 210–211
Latin
Quoniam igitur iam audivistis de hostibus metallorum, cognoscite porro ipsorum praeservativa & conservativa, quae metalla ab omni damno & corruptione custodiunt, & praeterea in ipsorum natura & virtute constant, & in colore altius graduant. Primo igitur de auro sciendum est, quod non possit illud melius & pulcrius conservari, quam in urina puerorum, in qua dissolutum sit sal armoniacum, aut in sola aqua salis armoniaci. In istis cum tempore tam altum gradum coloris acquirit, ut altius pervenire nequeat. Argentum non melius praeservari & conservari potest, quam si coquatur in aqua vulgari vel aceto, in quo tartarus & sal sint resoluta: ita quodlibet argentum vetus, denigratum & maculatum renovatur, si in his excoquatur. Ferri & chalybis conservativa & praeservativa optima & utilissima sunt recens lardum non salitum ex sue castrata, quod quidem omne ferrum & chalybem a rubigine custodit, si singulis mensibus eo semel ungantur. Similiter si ferrum cum Arsenico fixo liquescat, & aliquoties fluat, ita renovari & fixari potest, ut in perpetuum non contrahat rubiginem, sicut argentum. Cuprum vero conservari & praeservari potest, si solummodo cum ☿ sublimato misceatur, aut oleo salis inungatur, ita ut in aeternum nullum vitriolum vel viride aeris ex se praebeat aut virescat.
English
Having heard about the enemies of metals, learn now their preservatives, which guard them from every injury and corruption, maintain their nature and virtue and raise their colour to a higher degree. First, Gold cannot be preserved better or more beautifully than in boys’ urine in which sal ammoniac has been dissolved, or in water of sal ammoniac alone. In these it eventually acquires so high a degree of colour that it can rise no further. Silver cannot be protected and preserved better than by boiling in common water or vinegar in which tartar and salt are dissolved. Any old, blackened or stained silver is thus renewed by boiling in them. The best and most useful preservatives of iron and steel are fresh unsalted fat from a castrated pig: it guards all iron and steel from rust if they are anointed with it once a month. Likewise, if iron is melted with fixed arsenic and brought into fusion several times, it can be renewed and fixed so that it never rusts, like silver. Copper can be preserved and protected if merely mixed with sublimed Mercury or anointed with oil of salt, so that it never produces vitriol or verdigris or becomes green.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 3 · Preservation · Book 3 · Preservation · Passage 8
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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.