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 541 of 642
Book 9 · Signature · Passage 36
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 258
Latin
Error secundus in hoc est. Frequenter accidit, ut originales naturalesque lineae manuum per noxas aut casus fortuitos mutentur, aut maiores minoresve fiant, aut aliis locis appareant. Sicut enim, si via quaedam trita a re quadam obstruitur, aut ab illapso monte obtegitur, aut ab aquarum exundatione corrumpitur, homines viam ei propinquam aliam moliuntur: ita & lineis veteribus manuum accidit, ut interdum post sanationem vulnerum aut ulcerum una cum nova carne, novae etiam lineae enascantur, veteresque penitus deleantur. Eodem modo & propter duros labores lineae obliterantur aut, quae primariae sunt, grandescunt. Ubi idem evenit, quod de arboribus notum est. Si enim adolescens arbor undiquaque frondes multas emittit: tunc praecisis multis, arbor ipsa grandior evadit.
English
The second error is this. The original natural lines of the hands are often altered by injuries or accidents, becoming larger or smaller or appearing in other places. Just as, when a well-used road is blocked by something, covered by a fallen mountainside or damaged by flooding, people make another road nearby, so with the old lines of the hands: sometimes after wounds or ulcers heal, new lines arise with the new flesh and the old ones are entirely erased. Hard labour likewise obliterates lines or enlarges the principal ones. The same happens as is known of trees: if a young tree sends out many branches all around, cutting many off makes the tree itself larger.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 9 · Signature · Book 9 · Signature · Passage 36
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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.