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 468 of 642
Book 9 · Signature · Passage 8
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 249
Latin
Eodem modo paucis quoque literis, nominibus seu verbis res multae designantur, ut libri, qui uno tantum extra verbo inscripti, quid intus contineant, illico produnt. Eadem conditio etiam est vitrorum, & pyxidum in officinis medicinalibus, quae omnes peculiaribus nominibus seu chartis appensis discernuntur. Id nisi fieret, ecquisnam tot tamque inter se diversas Aquas, Liquores, Syrupos, olea, pulveres, semina, unguenta, &c. denique ipsa simplicia omnia discernere posset. Eodem modo & Alchimista in Laboratorio suo, omnes Aquas, Liquores, Spiritus, Olea, phlegmata, Crocos, Alcali, pulveres, denique omnes Species singulatim suis nominibus & chartis notat, ut ex illis, si opus sit, quod velit eligere possit. Sine quo praesidio impossibile est, singulorum propriam memoriam habere, &c. Sic etiam per numerum conclavia omnia, & aedificia hominum signari possunt, ut aetas cuiuslibet ex primo illo ascripti numeri aspectu sciri possit.
English
Many things are likewise designated by a few letters, names or words: books, for instance, which, with a single word written outside, immediately disclose what they contain. The same applies to glass vessels and boxes in apothecaries’ shops, all distinguished by particular names or attached labels. Without this, who could distinguish so many different waters, liquors, syrups, oils, powders, seeds, ointments and, finally, all the simple ingredients? In the same way the alchemist in his laboratory marks all waters, liquors, spirits, oils, phlegms, crocuses, alkalis, powders and every material individually with its name and label, so that when needed he can choose what he wishes. Without this aid it is impossible to remember each distinctly. All rooms and human buildings can likewise be marked with a number, so that the age of each can be known at the first sight of the number written on it.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 9 · Signature · Book 9 · Signature · Passage 8
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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.