DiotimosReading Desk

Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition

Attributed to Jean d’Espagnet

The Summary of Physics Restored

A Fresh English Translation from the Complete 1653 Latin Enchiridion

Explore the Lexicon
The Summary of Physics RestoredThe 245 Canons · Latin

Swipe or use the arrow keys.

Latin Page · Branch 351 of 375

The 245 Canons · Latin

Latin

Primum aliquod mobile supra cœlos esse, cuius motu rapidissimo cæli inferiores quotidie rotentur, non tam diuinæ sapientiæ inuentum, quàm humanæ ignorantiæ subsidium est: si enim primo illi motori principium motus assignamus, cur idem globo cælesti denegamus? quare cœlo externam motus causam frustrà fingimus, quæ intrinseca esse potest?

English

The claim that there is some first movable sphere above the heavens, by whose exceedingly rapid movement the lower heavens rotate each day, is less an invention of divine wisdom than a prop for human ignorance. For if we assign a principle of movement to that first mover, why deny the same to the heavenly globe? Why needlessly invent an external cause of Heaven’s movement when it can be internal?

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.