Full Idea
We can define gold as the heaviest metal, or by assaying procedures, but only when men have penetrated more deeply into the nature of things will they be able to see why one belongs with the other.
Clarification
'Assaying procedures' check the authenticity of gold
Gist of Idea
We will only connect our various definitions of gold when we understand it more deeply
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (New Essays on Human Understanding [1704], 2.31)
Book Reference
Leibniz,Gottfried: 'New Essays on Human Understanding', ed/tr. Remnant/Bennett [CUP 1996], p.267
A Reaction
He mentions that geometry is different, because we do have perfect ideas of things. This is part of Leibniz's optimism about the future of science, in comparison with the surprising pessimism of the empiricists. See Idea 12976 and Idea 12975.
Related Ideas
Idea 12976 If our ideas of a thing are imperfect, the thing can have several unconnected definitions [Leibniz]
Idea 12975 We have a distinct idea of gold, to define it, but not a perfect idea, to understand it [Leibniz]
Idea 12983 A nominal definition is of the qualities, but the real definition is of the essential inner structure [Leibniz]