Full Idea
The formation of the world occupied each of the four in its entirety; the maker made it out of the totality of fire, water, air and earth, leaving unused no part or property of any of them.
Gist of Idea
The world-maker used the four elements and their properties in entirety
Source
Plato (Timaeus [c.362 BCE], 32c)
Book Reference
Plato: 'Timaeus and Critias', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [OUP 2008], p.21
A Reaction
So all of the four elements entirely pre-existed (presumably for eternity), before the ordering of the cosmos. There seems to be no reference to a first creation of this chaotic collection. Interesting that all properties are used. That is a constraint.
Related Idea
Idea 24237 The divine organiser of the world wanted it to have as little imperfection as possible [Plato]