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 392 of 642
Book 8 · Separation · Passage 10
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 238
Latin
Quod iam de separatione Microcosmi dictum est: idem etiam intelligi debet de mundo maiore, quem Oceanus magnus in tres partes segregavit, ita ut universus orbis, in tres secretus partes sit, in Europam scilicet Asiam & Aphricam: quae separatio, praefiguratio quaedam est trium principiorum, quod ipsa de qualibet terrena & Elementali re separari possint. Tria haec principia sunt Mercurius, sulphur & sal: ex quibus tribus mundus conditus & compositus est.
English
What has just been said about separation of the microcosm must also be understood of the greater world, which the great ocean divided into three parts, so that the whole globe is set apart into Europe, Asia and Africa. This separation is a kind of prefiguration of the three principles, showing that they can be separated from every earthly and elemental thing. These three principles are mercury, sulphur and salt, from which the world was established and composed.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 8 · Separation · Book 8 · Separation · Passage 10
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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.