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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 · English

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The 245 Canons · English

Latin

Nec in Naturâ contrariae sunt inter se quatuor illae principes qualitates, sed tantùm dissimiles ac diuersae, neque mutuò se expugnant, sed vniuntur & stricto foedere coeunt: sic in remisso gradu calor & frigus amicè conueniunt & commiscentur in subiecto, vt mediam & temperatam qualitatem, teporem nempe, producant: Quod si in gradu intenso non sine luctâ & pugnâ concurrunt, hoc ab intensionis excessu & tyrannide procedit, quae duas qualitates pariter intensas & aduersas eiusdem dominij consortes & participes ferre sine tumultu non potest, qualitates autem intensas tanquam spurias & extraneas respuit Natura.

English

Nor are those four chief qualities opposed to one another in Nature: they are merely dissimilar and different. They do not overthrow one another, but unite and come together in a close alliance. Thus, at an abated degree, heat and cold meet amicably and mingle in a subject to produce an intermediate, temperate quality, namely warmth. If at an intense degree they encounter one another with struggle and combat, this proceeds from the excess and tyranny of intensity, which cannot endure two equally intense and opposing qualities as partners and sharers in the same dominion without turmoil. Nature, however, rejects intense qualities as spurious and foreign.

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.