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 RestoredTo Students of the Light of Natural Philosophy · English

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English Page · Branch 16 of 375

To Students of the Light of Natural Philosophy · English

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Latin

instar belluarum latratus, prior alieno bono tabescens, altera cæcitate suâ insaniens, ambæ in cultiora scientiarum viridaria, in amœniora Philosophiæ sata petulanter irrumpunt, & laudandos fæliciorum ingeniorum labores vastant: Incassum illæ mihi sua terriculamenta obiicient; despecti mihi erunt illarum conatus, quandiu conspectum veritatis numen, cuius tutelâ tutus incedam. Hæc ocii nostri libamina, quo vobis offeruntur, excipite animo, quæ si parum arrideant, aut alia potiora vobis habeantur, munusculum hoc nostrum leui morsu quasi blandientes perstringite, eo ipso non ingratum, quod vos ad meliora prouocauerit.

English

Barking like beasts, the former wastes away at another’s good fortune, the latter rages in its own blindness. Both wantonly break into the more carefully tended gardens of the sciences and the more delightful plantings of Philosophy, laying waste the praiseworthy labours of more fortunate minds. They will set their terrors before me in vain. I shall look down upon their attempts so long as the divine presence of truth is before my sight, under whose protection I may walk in safety. Receive these first offerings of my leisure in the spirit in which they are offered to you. If they please you little, or you possess other and better things, brush this little gift of ours with a gentle bite, as though caressing it. It will be welcome for this very reason: that it has stirred you towards better things.

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.