The Summary of Physics Restored

Name: The Summary of Physics Restored
Author: Attributed to Jean d’Espagnet

A Fresh English Translation from the Complete 1653 Latin Enchiridion

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The Summary of Physics RestoredThe 245 Canons · Latin

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Latin Page · Branch 46 of 375

The 245 Canons · Latin

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Latin

Thales, Heraclitus, & Hesiodus Aquam, primam rerum materiam esse existimaverunt; quorum opinioni sacrae Geneseos scriptor assentiri videtur, illam abyssum & aquam vocitans; per quam non aquam nostram, sed quasi fumum, aut vaporem humidum & tenebrosum, huc illuc errantem, & sine ulla lege incerto motu actum, intellexisse suspicio est.

English

Thales, Heraclitus and Hesiod considered water to be the first matter of things. The writer of sacred Genesis seems to assent to their opinion, calling it the abyss and water. It may be suspected that he understood by this not our water, but something like smoke or a moist and dark vapour, wandering this way and that and driven by an uncertain motion without any law.

About This Reading Edition

The complete 1653 Enchiridion physicae restitutae, conventionally attributed to Jean d’Espagnet, with Latin and a fresh English translation, all 245 canons, the title and maxim, address to students, epigram, original marginalia, 140 modern annotations and the complete supplied Diotimos study apparatus.

Historical Text and Translation

Anonymous, Enchiridion physicae restitutae. Geneva: Jean-Antoine and Samuel de Tournes, 1653. ETH-Bibliothek Zürich, Rar 4790; digitised by e-rara, doi:10.3931/e-rara-21407. Conventionally attributed to Jean d’Espagnet; the original title page is anonymous.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The historical Latin text is a public-domain work. The supplied 2026 fresh English translation, readable Latin transcription and Diotimos editorial material are published with the site owner’s authorization.