To those, also, who consider the affair by itself, it will appear that what is called a vacuum is truly a vacuum: for just as if any one puts a cube into water, as much water will give way as is equal to the cube; the like also happens in air, though it is immanifest to sense. Hence, in every body which may be transferred, so far as it is naturally adapted to be transferred, it is necessary, unless it is compressed, that it should be transferred, either always downward, if its lation is downward, as earth; or upward, if it is fire; or toward both, as air; or of whatever kind the thing may be which is locally situated. In a vacuum, however, this is impossible; for neither is it a body. But through the cube an equal interval may appear to permeate, which was before in a vacuum; just as if neither the water nor the air should yield to the wooden cube, but should permeate it throughout. The cube, however, has as much magnitude as the vacuum contains; which, if it should also be hot or cold, or heavy, or light, would be no less, but would even be more essentially different from all passive qualities, although it is not separate from them. I mean the bulk of the wooden cube. So that though it should be separated from all other things, and should neither be heavy nor light, yet it would occupy an equal vacuum, and would be in the same part of a place and a vacuum equal to itself. In what, therefore, will the body of the cube differ from an equal vacuum and place? And if there are two of this kind, why will not also any thing whatever be in the same? This, therefore, is one absurdity and impossibility. Further still; it is evident that the cube when transferred to another place will have this (a triple dimension) which all other bodies have. So that if it in no respect differs from place, why is it necessary to make a place for bodies, beside the bulk of each, if bulk is impassive? for it contributes nothing, if another equal interval of this kind should be about it. Again, it is necessary that the quality of the vacuum, which is in things that are moved, should be manifest; but now it no where appears within the world: for air is something; but it does not seem to be a body. Neither would water appear to be a body if fishes were made of iron: for the judgment of that which is tangible is by the touch. Hence, therefore, it is manifest that there is not a separate vacuum.
