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 466 of 642
Book 9 · Signature · Passage 6
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 249
Latin
Ut ergo Signata illa, quae homo signat, quaeque non tantum ad ordinem, officium aut nomen, sed etiam ad discrimen, notitiam, aetatem, dignitatem, gradum, &c. cognoscendum deducunt: deinceps sciendum est, de moneta, quod quaelibet peculiarem suam probationem ac signum habeat, ex quo noscatur, quanti valoris sit, cuius domini sit, quo loco usitata & accepta sit. Hinc a Germanis proverbium iactatur: Numus nullibi gratior, quam ubi cusus est.
English
As for those signs made by human beings, which reveal not only rank, office or name but also distinction, identity, age, dignity and degree, know next concerning coinage that each coin has its own particular proof and mark. By it one knows its value, whose lordship it belongs to, and where it is used and accepted. Hence the German proverb: “Nowhere is a coin more welcome than where it was struck.”
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 9 · Signature · Book 9 · Signature · Passage 6
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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.