Quote#Nature
Subtle
Quote byBen Jonson · 1572–1637
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Alchemist (1610) Act II, scene ii.
English (original)
Subtle. No egg but differs from a chicken more Than metals in themselves. Surly. That cannot be. The egg's ordained by nature to that end And is a chicken in potentia. Subtle. The same we say of lead and other metals, Which would be gold if they had time. ...for 'twere absurd To think that nature in the earth bred gold Perfect in the instant; something went before. There must be remote matter.
— Ben Jonson
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