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Attributed to Jean d’Espagnet

The Summary of Physics Restored

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 152 of 375

The 245 Canons · Latin

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Latin

Quatuor itaque illas qualitates, quas repugnantes vulgus credit, in materiâ primâ, nisi post eius informationem non extitisse recta ratio docet: Nec contrarietatem patiebatur illa in solitudine suâ; alij fuerunt eius morbi, nempe opacitas, confusio, deformitas, frigiditas, humiditas indigesta, & impotentia; quae omnia morbosi & languentis corporis indicia fuêre: Corruptionis itaque labe à creatione suâ infecta fuit, quam illa ad natos & nepotes traduxit in hâc infimâ & infirmâ Elementorum plagâ hospitantes: Propterea de Abysso illâ tenebrosâ non enunciatur in Genesi, quod esset valdè bona, sed luci, caeterisque postea creatis, elogium illud meritò reseruatum fuit.

English

Right reason therefore teaches that those four qualities, which the common view regards as opposed, did not exist in first matter until after it received form. Nor did it suffer contrariety in its solitude. Its diseases were different: opacity, confusion, deformity, coldness, undigested moisture and powerlessness—all signs of a diseased and languishing body. It was therefore infected from its creation with a taint of corruption, which it transmitted to its children and grandchildren dwelling in this lowest and weakest region of the Elements. For this reason Genesis does not declare that dark Abyss to be very good; that praise was rightly reserved for light and the other things created afterwards.

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.