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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 One · Chapter 3

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French Page · Branch 44 of 251

Book One · Chapter 3

Book Mode

French

1621 pp. 22–23 · scans FR042, FR043

Cet esprit donc (par les philosophes appellé Mercure) à cause qu'il est multiforme, voire omniforme, faisant la production de tous les corps, eslargit une vie aux uns plus nette & incorruptible, & aux autres plus embrouillee, & subjecte à corruption & defaillance: selon la predisposition de la matiere. Par ainsi cette vigueur de feu qui provient des rayons solaires n'est pas toute une en tout & par tout, mais est diversifiee selon le plus ou le moins qui est aux semences des choses. Toutes matieres donc de plus nette & pure predisposition ont l'esprit & la vie plus durable & incorruptible: car toute chose se delectant volontiers en son semblable, il est bien seant que cette chaleur celeste qui est tres-pure, entre & penetre dans les corps autant & plus profondement qu'ils sont plus purs, & les rende plus durables, vitaux, & incorruptibles.

1621 pp. 22–23 · scans FR042, FR043

Sal Lumen and Spiritus Mundi Philosophici: Book One · Chapter 3

1621 pp. 22–23 · scans FR042, FR043

This spirit, then, is called Mercury by the philosophers because it takes many forms, indeed every form, bringing forth all bodies. It bestows on some a cleaner and more incorruptible life, and on others a more troubled life, subject to corruption and failure, according to the predisposition of the matter. Thus this fiery vigour proceeding from the solar rays is not wholly the same in everything and everywhere, but is varied according to the greater or lesser degree present in the seeds of things. All materials of cleaner and purer predisposition therefore have a more lasting and incorruptible spirit and life. For since everything readily delights in its like, it is fitting that this celestial heat, which is most pure, should enter and penetrate bodies more deeply the purer they are, and render them more lasting, living and incorruptible.

1621 pp. 22–23 · scans FR042, FR043

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.