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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English Page · Branch 434 of 642
Book 8 · Separation · Passage 32
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 244
Latin
Cum vero ignavia tantopere apud Medicos illos invaluerit, & opera omnis, omne studium ad insolentiam tantum convertatur: non miror equidem, praeparationes eiusmodi passim negligi, & carbones tam vili pretio prostare, quod si fabri eadem facilitate carbonibus in suis cudendis & tractandis metallis carere possent, qua carent illis Medici isti in praeparandis medicinis: Haud dubio carbonarii omnes ad extremam egestatem iam pridem redacti essent.
English
Since idleness has gained such strength among those physicians, and all their work and study is turned solely towards arrogance, I am certainly not surprised that preparations of this kind are everywhere neglected and charcoal sells so cheaply. If craftsmen could dispense with charcoal in forging and working their metals as easily as those physicians dispense with it in preparing medicines, all charcoal burners would undoubtedly have been reduced to utter poverty long ago.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 8 · Separation · Book 8 · Separation · Passage 32
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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.