From the book
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
Heinrich Khunrath · Diotimos Editions · 2026
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At a Glance
- The wordThis is the named interlocutor in Bernard's reported account of knowing the Art before personally completing the work.
- In KhunrathThe Latin quotation on page 133 has Barbarino, while Khunrath's German rendering gives einem Barbaro.
- In this editionThe two printed inflected forms are retained rather than silently harmonized.
- A reading distinctionThe narrative is Bernard's story as quoted by Khunrath, not Khunrath's claim to have met this interlocutor.
Meaning
This is the named interlocutor in Bernard's reported account of knowing the Art before personally completing the work.
Use in the book
The Latin quotation on page 133 has Barbarino, while Khunrath's German rendering gives einem Barbaro. Bernard says that, after he inadvertently disclosed his lack of personal trial, this interlocutor tried to divert him from the true purpose, so he left the association. The episode supports Khunrath's resistance to an argument that equates incomplete practice with ignorance.
The man's precise historical identity is not established. Nor should the variation be resolved by assuming that the German word merely insults him as a barbarian. The supplied translation retains the name-like form and leaves the contrast visible. His essential role is the disputant who misuses an admission of limited performance against a claim of prior knowledge.
Places to read
- 1599 p. 132Bernard’s account of acquaintances after knowing the Art begins the quoted narrative.
- 1599 p. 133The interlocutor’s name varies between Latin and German as the disagreement is recounted.
- 1599 p. 134Bernard’s departure from the association concludes before the Rosarium example begins.
Translation in this edition
The two printed inflected forms are retained rather than silently harmonized. A speculative identification would add nothing necessary to the argument.
Source note
The narrative is Bernard's story as quoted by Khunrath, not Khunrath's claim to have met this interlocutor.