Explanation of Expressions

Necessity is a cause of violence. In general, an element is that first thing from which something is made and to which it is ultimately reducible. In particular, however, an element is that of which a body is made and to which it is reducible—and such are fire, water, air, and earth. Fire is a body which is very rare, hot, and dry. Earth is a body which is very dry and heavy. Water is a body which is wet and very cold. Air is a body which is very wet and soft. Origination is a substantial motion from non-being to being. (Destruction and corruption is a motion from being to n