Full Idea
Attraction or repulsion appear to me not to be properly what is imparted to matter, but what really makes it what it is, in so much that, without it, it would be nothing at all.
Gist of Idea
Attraction or repulsion are not imparted to matter, but actually constitute it
Source
Joseph Priestley (Theological and other works [1790], p.237), quoted by Harré,R./Madden,E.H. - Causal Powers 9.II.B
Book Reference
Harré,R/Madden,E.H.: 'Causal Powers: A Theory of Natural Necessity' [Blackwell 1975], p.172
A Reaction
This is music to the ears of anyone who thinks that powers are the fundamentals of nature (like me).