Dedication, no date (1569), Gerhard Dorn to Wilhelm IV., Landgraf von Hessen-Kassel (BP110)
| Author: | Gerhard Dorn |
| Recipient: | Wilhelm IV., Landgraf von Hessen-Kassel |
| Type: | Dedication |
| Date: | no date [1569] |
| Pages: | 4 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Quote as: | https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=1959 |
| Editor: | Edited by Julian Paulus |
| Source: | Paracelsus, De Meteoris liber vnus, ed. Gerhard Dorn, Basel: Pietro Perna [1569], sig. [unsigned]2r–[unsigned]3v [BP110]
|
| CP: | Not in Kühlmann/Telle, Corpus Paracelsisticum |
| Translation: | Raw translation see below |
| Abstract: | Dorn discusses his work translating the philosophical writings of Theophrastus Paracelsus from German into Latin. He believes Paracelsus's work is more sincere and in accordance with Christian religion than many earlier writings. He specifically mentions works on Meteors, the Womb, and the first three substances and principles of things. Dorn criticizes those who use pagan texts to try to refute Paracelsus's writings, and he urges his detractors to try to refute his works based on philosophical and religious merit rather than using human authorities. Dorn hopes that the Prince, who he notes respects truth above all else, will protect Paracelsus's works from slander and assist in the reform of abuses he left behind. (generated by Chat-GPT) |
| Back to Paratexts Back to Texts by Gerhard Dorn |
[sig. [unsigned]2r] Illvstrissimo Principi Gvilhelmo Lantgravio Hassiæ, Comiti in Catzenelnbogen, Dietz, Ziegenhayn, & Nidda, Salus.
I Inter varia diuersi generis opuscula Theophrasti Paracelsi, quæ vertenda susceperam è Germanico sermone, latineque reddenda, philosophici tres libelli meas in manus primùm inciderunt. Quos quôd longè doctiùs, & iuxta Christianæ religionis profeßionem disserere multò sinceriùs viderem, quàm hactenus ab antiquis traditum fuit, alijs alio pòst seruatis loco hos præmittere volui, nempe de Meteoris vnum, alium de Matrice, tertium vero de Tribus primis substantijs rerumq́ue principijs. Non alia de causa quàm vt à fœlicioribus ingenijs comparatione facta iudicaretur, vtra, [sig. [unsigned]2v] vel præceptoris nostri Paracelsi viri Christiani, veritatis amatoris atque vindicis in artibus, aut eorum quos ista semper latuit, vera falsaúe sententia foret. Si quos interim hæc refellendi scripta Paracelsica cæteris cùm voluntas arripiat, experiantur quînam suis Ethnicorum & Gentilium scriptis Sacras delere literas valeant, quibus author noster ad sua philosophica præsertim probanda solùm & non humanis authoritatibus, quòd nullæ sint, vtitur. Inde pòst referant, quàm contra stimulum calcitrare sibi facile fuerit. Medica verò, qui sin sensualibus pro parte sita, suis ad oculum demonstratis experimentis ex luce naturæ fundatißimè docet: quam quidem euidentißimam & certißimam istius cognitionem ita vocat. Nec sua sinit etiam interdum Euangelicis allegationibus confirmare. Peßimè nonnullos habet ad medicinam & philosophiam stabiliendas adduci rationes Theologicas, discernendum- [sig. [unsigned]3r] q́ue (vt loquuntur) inter artes atque Theologiam ducunt. Si de illis artib[us] quas Apostolus inanem philosophiam vocat (argutam illam disceptandi rixandiq́ue rationem intelligens) ipsi loquantur, concedemus. At inter Christianam philosophiam artesq́ue similes & ipsam Theologiam nulla differentia, si ad scopum & finem, quem vnicum habent vtpote charitatem referantur. Nam Christianus verus nullum opus etsi mechanicum extra Christum exercet. Quapropter, Illustrißime Princeps, quum tua Celsitas, quæ veritatem in omnibus tantùm, cæteris neglectis, aspicit, istius viri philosophi Germani cripta huic solùm innixa, fundata, nec non Sacris approbata literis viderit, fieri speramus, vt eius & monumentorum quæ reliquit in abusuum reformationem, ab iniuriosis & falsis calumnijs præter veritatem & æquitatem excogitatis, & per eos illatis, qui tollerare veritatem non poßunt, nec probabilibus rationibus expugnare: prote- [sig. [unsigned]3v] ctionem atque patrocinium suscipere minimè dedignabitur, præsertim, quòd solæ T[uæ] C[elsitudinis] hactenus commendata fuit semper viritas. Vale Princeps illustrißimè fœ, & viue.
Illustrißimæ C[elsitudinis] T[uæ] Seruulus
Gerardus Dorn.
English Raw Translation
Generated by ChatGPT-4 on 29 June 2023. Attention: This translation is a machine translation by artificial intelligence. The translation has not been checked and should not be cited without additional human verification.
To the Most Illustrious Prince Wilhelm, Landgrave of Hesse, Count of Catzenelnbogen, Dietz, Ziegenhain, and Nidda, Greetings.
Among the various diverse works of Theophrastus Paracelsus, which I had undertaken to translate from the German language and render into Latin, three philosophical booklets first came into my hands. As I saw these discuss far more learnedly and sincerely in accordance with the profession of the Christian religion than has been passed down from the ancients, I wished to put these aside and focus on others - one on Meteors, another on the Womb, and a third on the first three substances and principles of things. I had no other reason than to allow a judgment to be made, by those of happier intellect, on comparison of the teachings of our master Paracelsus, a Christian man, a lover and defender of truth in the arts, or those who have always been hidden from these truths.
If there are any who seize upon the desire to refute these writings of Paracelsus among others, let them try to erase the Holy Scriptures with their own pagan and gentile writings, which our author uses only to prove his own philosophical points, and not through human authorities, as they do not exist. Afterwards, let them report how easy it was for them to kick against the goad.
But for Medicine, which is partly based on the senses, he teaches most fundamentally with his experiments demonstrated to the eye, drawn from the light of nature: he calls this most evident and certain knowledge. Nor does he deny occasionally confirming his theories with quotations from the Gospels. Some people find it very wrong to introduce theological arguments to establish medicine and philosophy, and to distinguish (as they say) between arts and theology. If they are speaking about those arts that the Apostle calls vain philosophy (understanding that clever method of arguing and quarreling), we agree. But between Christian philosophy and similar arts and theology itself, there is no difference, if they are referred to the aim and end, which they have in common, namely charity. For a true Christian practices no work, even a mechanical one, outside of Christ.
Therefore, Most Illustrious Prince, when Your Highness, who regards only truth in all things and disregards the rest, sees this German philosopher's work founded and approved by this truth alone, and by Holy Scriptures, we hope that Your Highness will not disdain to take under your protection and patronage his legacy and the reform of abuses he left behind, from the false and unjust slanders devised contrary to truth and fairness, and from those who can neither bear the truth nor defeat it with plausible arguments, especially since truth has always been recommended to Your Highness. Farewell, Most Illustrious Prince, and live.
Your Most Illustrious Highness's Servant,
Gerardus Dorn.
