Archidoxa ex Theophrastia : Pars I

The serious contemplation of eternal things has carried our soul to such a height that we seem to have spoken of divine things even when discussing those matters subject to nature: which are all the more perfect the closer they are to the eternal.

A woodcut portrait of Theophrastus Paracelsus in profile facing right, enclosed in an ornate oval cartouche. He is depicted as a balding man holding the hilt of a sword. A circular border around the portrait contains the Latin inscription: "* D THEOPRASTVS PARACELSVS PHILOSOPHVS MEDICVS MATHEMAT: CHYMISTA CABALISTA NATVRÆ INDVSTRIVS INDAGATOR". To the right of the figure, the word "VIRESCIT" is written vertically. At the base of the portrait, a motto reads: "ALTERIVS NON SIT: QVI SVVS ESSE POTEST." The oval is set within a decorative frame of architectural scrolls and floral motifs. At the bottom of this frame, a cartouche contains the words: "LABORE SCIENTIA VIRTVTE &".

• Doctor Theophrastus Paracelsus: Philosopher, Physician, Mathematician, Alchemist original: "Chymista", Kabbalist original: "Cabalista" — a practitioner of Kabbalah; in this context, it refers to the Christian mystical tradition of using Hebrew lore to uncover divine secrets in nature., and Diligent Investigator of Nature.

He flourishes. original: "VIRESCIT"

original: "ALTERIVS NON SIT: QVI SVVS ESSE POTEST." This was Paracelsus’s famous personal motto, reflecting his defiance of traditional medical authorities and his insistence on intellectual independence.

original: "LABORE SCIENTIA VIRTVTE &"

A quote from the Gospel of Matthew (7:7), often used by alchemists to suggest that the secrets of nature are granted by God to those who persevere in their studies.