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 593 of 642
Book 9 · Signature · Passage 59
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 266
Latin
Dicendum etiam deinceps est de peculiaribus nonnullis signis, de quibus hactenus quidem nihil traditum est. Quo in tractatu vobis, qui scientiae signatae peritiam iactatis, & signatores vos appellari expetitis, opus praecipue erit, ut nos recte intelligatis. Nec enim Theorice hoc loco, sed Practice scribemus, & sententiam nostram paucis verbis comprehensam, brevissime intelligendam proponemus. Sciatis autem primum, signatam artem docere, quomodo vera & genuina nomina rebus omnibus indenda sint, quae Adam Protoplastus vere & integre omnia scivit. Illico enim post creationem cuilibet rei proprium suum nomen imposuit, tam animalibus quam arboribus, herbis, radicibus, lapidibus, mineralibus, metallis, aquis, &c. & ceteris fructibus terrae, aquae, aeris, ignis, &c. Et quae nomina ille his omnibus imponebat, ea Deo rata & probata erant. Ex vero enim & intimo fundamento, ea desumebantur: non ex opinione, sed ex praedestinata scientia, ex arte scilicet signata. Ideo Adam Signator primus exstitit. Negari quidem non potest, quod etiam ex lingua Hebraica genuina nomina profluant, & cuilibet rei pro sua natura & conditione imponantur. Quae enim ex Hebraica lingua nomina imponuntur, illa eadem opera etiam rei istius virtutem potestatem & proprietatem indicant.
English
We must next speak of some particular signs about which nothing has yet been taught. In this treatment it is especially necessary for you who boast of skill in the science of signs and wish to be called signators to understand us correctly. Here we shall write practically, not theoretically, setting out our thought briefly in a few words. Know first that the art of signs teaches how true and genuine names are to be given to all things. Adam, the first-formed human, knew all these truly and completely. Immediately after creation he gave each thing its proper name: animals, trees, herbs, roots, stones, minerals, metals, waters and the other fruits of earth, water, air and fire. The names he gave were ratified and approved by God, for they were taken from a true and inward foundation, not opinion but predestined knowledge, namely the art of signs. Adam was therefore the first signator. Nor can it be denied that genuine names flow from the Hebrew language and are given to each thing according to its nature and condition. Names given from Hebrew simultaneously indicate the thing’s virtue, power and property.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 9 · Signature · Book 9 · Signature · Passage 59
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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.