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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 5

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English Page · Branch 55 of 251

Book One · Chapter 5

French

1621 pp. 37–38 · scans FR057, FR058

Pour empescher que l'on ne se deçoyve icy, il fault considerer que comme nous avons corps, esprit, & ame; aussi a ce grand univers. Desquelles trois parties ne se trouvant aucune chose qui en soit despourveuë, c'est une consequence necessaire qu'elles sont tousjours associees ensemble; de sorte que l'une n'est jamais sans l'autre, que si quelquefois il semble que les deux en soient separees, elles sont toutes-fois cachees en la tierce qui reste; comme le subtil & profond artiste sçaura bien cognoistre, & voir en chacun corps par l'examen du feu. Ce qui donc est matiere est aussi esprit: & ce qui est esprit peut sans impertinence estre appellé corps, eu esgard à ce qu'ils sont indivisibles & engendrez par la loy de Nature pour n'estre qu'une seule & mesme chose; parquoy la matiere n'est point seulement corps, ame ou esprit, mais elle est tous les trois ensemble, l'un avec l'autre engendrez & nourris, tellement qu'à la propagation & action de l'un, les deux autres se trouvent.

1621 pp. 37–38 · scans FR057, FR058

Sal Lumen and Spiritus Mundi Philosophici: Book One · Chapter 5

1621 pp. 37–38 · scans FR057, FR058

To prevent error here, we must consider that just as we have body, spirit and soul, so does this great universe. Since nothing is found without these three parts, it follows necessarily that they are always associated together, so that one is never without another. If it sometimes seems that two have been separated from it, they are nevertheless hidden in the third which remains, as the subtle and profound practitioner will readily recognise and see in every body through examination by fire. What is matter is therefore also spirit, and what is spirit may without impropriety be called body, considering that they are indivisible and generated by Nature’s law to be one and the same thing. Matter is consequently not merely body, soul or spirit, but all three together, generated and nourished with one another, so that in the propagation and action of one the other two are present.

1621 pp. 37–38 · scans FR057, FR058

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.