Full Idea
He that knows he has no other than particular ideas, will not puzzle himself in vain to find out and conceive the abstract idea annexed to any name.
Gist of Idea
No one will think of abstractions if they only have particular ideas
Source
George Berkeley (The Principles of Human Knowledge [1710], Intro §24)
Book Reference
Berkeley,George: 'The Principles of Human Knowledge etc.', ed/tr. Warnock,G.J. [Fontana 1962], p.62
A Reaction
A nice point against universals. Maybe gods only think in particulars. One particular on its own could never suggest a universal. How are you going to spot patterns if you don't think in universals? Maths needs patterns.
Related Idea