Full Idea
Generality is often necessary for capturing the essence of a particular.
Gist of Idea
Particular essence is often captured by generality
Source
Mark Steiner (Mathematical Explanation [1978], p.36)
Book Reference
'Philosophy of Mathematics: anthology', ed/tr. Jacquette,Dale [Blackwell 2002], p.36
A Reaction
The most powerful features of an entity are probably those which are universal, like intelligence or physical strength in a human. Those characteristics are powerful because they compete with the same characteristic in others (perhaps?).