But if we reject even the idea of its really containing at least the patterns upon it, how is it, in any sense, a recipient? The answer is that in the metaphor cited we have some reasonably adequate indication of the impassibility of Matter coupled with the presence upon it of what may be described as images of things not present. III VI. 12

But we cannot leave the point of its impassibility without a warning against allowing ourselves to be deluded by sheer custom of speech. III VI. 12