Full Idea
The shapes, colours, sizes and weights which are predicated of body as accidents, ...and are known by sense-perception, must not be thought of as independent natures (for that is inconceivable).
Clarification
'Accidents' are contingent properties
Gist of Idea
The perceived accidental properties of bodies cannot be conceived of as independent natures
Source
Epicurus (Letter to Herodotus [c.293 BCE], 68)
Book Reference
Epicurus: 'The Epicurus Reader', ed/tr. Inwood,B. /Gerson,L. [Hackett 1994], p.14
A Reaction
I take this to be an anti-platonist remark, though he is not denying that the accidental properties may have some universal character. I'm struck by how close the basic metaphysics of Epicurus is to that of Aristotle.
Related Ideas
Idea 14045 Accidental properties give a body its nature, but are not themselves bodies or parts of bodies [Epicurus]
Idea 14046 A 'body' is a conception of an aggregate, with properties defined by application conditions [Epicurus]
Idea 14047 Bodies have impermanent properties, and permanent ones which define its conceived nature [Epicurus]