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 334 of 642
Book 7 · Transmutations · Passage 13
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 233
Latin
De tincturis vero nihil amplius scribendum est, cum quilibet extractus color tinctura dici possit, qui quidem permanenti colore res tingat, quae non ingrediuntur ignem, vel in igne colores fixos servant. Ita omnia sunt in manu & potestate tinctoris vel pictoris, qui eas iuxta suum placitum praeparat.
English
No more need be written about tinctures, since any extracted colour can be called a tincture if it tinges things with a lasting colour, whether those things do not enter fire or preserve fixed colours in fire. Everything thus lies in the hand and power of the dyer or painter, who prepares them as desired.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 7 · Transmutations · Book 7 · Transmutations · Passage 13
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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.