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 467 of 642
Book 9 · Signature · Passage 7
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 249
Latin
Idem intelligendum etiam de signatis visitatis, quae a iuratis & ad id constitutis praegressa debita inspectione signantur: cuius rei documento sunt panni, insignibus peculiaribus notati, ex quibus sciri potest, eos in examine bonos ac probos inventos esse. Cur sigillum appenditur literis, nisi ut vis quaedam sit, quam violare nulli liceat? Sigillum enim est confirmatio literarum, unde illae apud omnes homines ac iudicia ratae habentur. Sine Sigillo Apocha mortua, irrita & inanis est.
English
The same is understood of inspected goods, which sworn officers appointed for the purpose mark after due examination. Cloth bearing special marks provides an example: the marks show that it was found good and sound under inspection. Why is a seal attached to a document unless to give it a force which nobody may violate? A seal confirms the document, so that it is held valid by all people and courts. Without a seal a receipt is dead, void and empty.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 9 · Signature · Book 9 · Signature · Passage 7
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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.