Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition
The Summary of Physics Restored
A Fresh English Translation from the Complete 1653 Latin Enchiridion
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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?
Socrates
Reading The Summary of Physics Restored · The 245 Canons · Canon 238
Ask about a concept, passage, contradiction, or connection.
Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.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.
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This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.
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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.
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