Full Idea
It is impossible that anything should be produced if there were nothing existing before. Obviously then some part of the result will pre-exist of necessity.
Gist of Idea
Something must pre-exist any new production
Source
Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1032b30)
Book Reference
Aristotle: 'The Basic Works of Aristotle', ed/tr. McKeon,Richard [Modern Library Classics 2001], p.793
A Reaction
This is arguing for a substrate on the basis of the ex nihilo principle. Creation needs raw materials as a basis. This may be the obscure 'prime matter'.