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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition

Clovis Hesteau de Nuysement

Sal Lumen and Spiritus Mundi Philosophici

Treatises on the True Salt and the Universal Spirit of the World

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Sal Lumen and Spiritus Mundi PhilosophiciBook Two · Chapter 4

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French Page · Branch 164 of 251

Book Two · Chapter 4

French

1621 pp. 239–241 · scans FR259, FR260, FR261

Or je desire que l'artiste curieux considere icy deux choses: l'une de choisir par subtile imagination une Nature vivifiante & capable de conserver tous corps: L'autre d'eslire une chose qui se puisse de soy mesme vivifier & rengendrer. Et ne veux toutesfois entendre qu'il faille prendre deux choses ou matieres diverses & separees, assavoir l'une agente, & l'autre patiente, mais bien seulement une qui ayt les deux vertus ensemble de vivifier & d'estre vivifiee. Quant à la vivification active j'en ay desja suffisamment parlé: mais quant à la passive je dy qu'il faut que tout principe aye son origine en luy mesme, car s'il naissoit d'ailleurs il ne seroit plus principe. Et puisqu'il donne l'estre à toutes choses il est necessaire qu'en les engendrant il puise de luy mesme ce refournissement & perpetuelle plenitude: à cause dequoy il est en continuelle action & mouvement à vivification, qui l'empesche de mourir, parce qu'il n'est jamais delaissé de soy mesme, ayant son mouvement de luy & dedans luy. Ce que Macrobe a subtilement disputé sur le songe de Scipion s'attachant à l'ame de l'homme, combien que sa dispute se puisse encore mieux adapter à mon intention, la faisant servir pour l'ame ou Esprit du monde, qui est le subiect que je traicte.

1621 pp. 239–241 · scans FR259, FR260, FR261

Sal Lumen and Spiritus Mundi Philosophici: Book Two · Chapter 4

1621 pp. 239–241 · scans FR259, FR260, FR261

I wish the enquiring artist to consider two things here: first, to choose through subtle imagination a life-giving nature capable of preserving all bodies; second, to select something able to give life to itself and generate itself anew. I do not mean that two different and separate things or materials must be taken, one acting and the other acted upon, but only one that possesses both powers together: to give life and to receive life. I have already spoken sufficiently about active vivification. As for passive vivification, I say that every principle must have its origin within itself, for if it arose elsewhere it would no longer be a principle. Since it gives being to all things, it must, in generating them, draw this replenishment and perpetual fullness from within itself. For that reason it remains in continual life-giving action and motion, which prevents it from dying, because it is never forsaken by itself, having its movement from itself and within itself. Macrobius subtly discussed this in connection with the Dream of Scipio, applying it to the human soul. His argument can be adapted still better to my intention, by applying it to the soul or spirit of the world, which is the subject I discuss.

1621 pp. 239–241 · scans FR259, FR260, FR261

About This Reading Edition

The complete French text of 1621 with a new English translation, all three books, preliminary texts, nine concluding sonnets, original errata, 299 annotations and the complete supplied study apparatus.

Historical Text and Translation

Clovis Hesteau de Nuysement, Traittez de l’harmonie et constitution generalle du vray sel, secret des Philosophes, & de l’Esprit universelle du Monde. Paris: Jérémie Périer and Abdias Buisard, 1621. The governing witness is the BnF/Gallica reproduction, ark:/12148/bpt6k656273. The reproduced privilege is dated 6 November 1620; the separate eighty-page Poème philosophic of 1620 is outside this edition.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The historical text printed in 1621 is in the public domain. The supplied 2026 French reading text, new English translation, introduction, notes and complete study apparatus are published with the site owner’s authorization.