Full Idea
In studying the workings of nature, our starting-point will be this principle: nothing can ever be created by divine power out of nothing.
Gist of Idea
Nothing can be created by divine power out of nothing
Source
Lucretius (On the Nature of the Universe [c.60 BCE], I.152)
Book Reference
Lucretius: 'On the Nature of the Universe', ed/tr. Latham,Ronald [Penguin 1951], p.31
A Reaction
This claim seems to cry out for a bit of empiricist caution. What observation has convinced Lucretius that creation out of nothing is impossible? The early Christians switched to the view that divine creation is 'ex nihilo' - out of nothing.