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 130 of 642
Book 3 · Preservation · Passage 19
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 213
Latin
Mel vero nullum peculiare conservativum habet, nisi quod a suo hoste praeservandum est. Est autem summus ipsius hostis panis. Nam si panis ex farre parum tantum iniiciatur vel cadat, mel totum vertitur in formicas & totum perit.
English
Honey has no particular preservative, except that it must be protected from its enemy. Bread is its greatest enemy. If even a little bread made from spelt is thrown or falls into it, all the honey turns into ants and is entirely lost.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 3 · Preservation · Book 3 · Preservation · Passage 19
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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.