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 526 of 642
Book 9 · Signature · Passage 31
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 256
Latin
De crinibus vel capitis vel barbae iudicia non admodum certa fiunt, quoniam usus docet, eos miro modo variari posse, ut vel nigri, vel flavi, vel rubri, vel candidi & cani, vel crispi erumpant. Sic redduntur etiam molles vel duri, prout quisque eos desiderarit. Et hinc factum est, ut multi, Physionomicae scientiae alias satis gnari, fallerentur turpiter, dum de crinibus iudicium temere facerent, astris imputantes, quae ipsis potius hominibus ascribenda fuerant. Negari tamen minime potest, capillos firmiter in capite defixos, & capitis & totius corporis bonam valetudinem indicare. Haec etiam caussa est, cur equorum emtores caudam illorum vellant, ut hoc modo de sanitate eorum iudicare possint. Sic porci probantur ex setis, pisces ex pinnis & squamis, avis ex pennis, &c.
English
Judgements from the hair of the head or beard are not very certain, since experience teaches that it can be altered remarkably, appearing black, blond, red, white, grey or curly. It can also be made soft or hard, as anyone desires. Thus many otherwise well versed in physiognomy have been shamefully deceived by rash judgements about hair, attributing to the stars what should rather have been attributed to people themselves. Yet it cannot be denied that hair firmly fixed in the head indicates good health of the head and whole body. This is why buyers of horses pull their tails, to judge their health. Pigs are likewise tested by their bristles, fish by their fins and scales, and a bird by its feathers.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 9 · Signature · Book 9 · Signature · Passage 31
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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.