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 398 of 642
Book 8 · Separation · Passage 13
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 pp. 238–239
Latin
Qui ergo eius modi rerum naturalium omnium separatorem esse gloriatur, is longa experientia & rerum naturalium omnium perfecta cognitione opus habet. Praeterea oportet ipsum esse peritum & exercitatum Alchimistam, ut sciat quid conflagrabile sit, vel non sit, quid fixum, quid volatile sit, quid fluat vel non fluat, quid altero ponderosius exsistat. Explorata etiam habere debet cuiuslibet rei naturalem colorem, odorem, aciditatem, austeritatem, acorem, amarorem, dulcorem, gradum, complexionem, & qualitatem.
English
Whoever boasts of being a separator of all natural things of this kind needs long experience and perfect knowledge of them all. Moreover, he must be a skilled and practised alchemist, so that he knows what is combustible and what is not, what is fixed and what volatile, what melts and what does not, and what is heavier than something else. He must also have investigated each thing’s natural colour, smell, acidity, astringency, sharpness, bitterness, sweetness, degree, complexion and quality.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 8 · Separation · Book 8 · Separation · 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.