y qualities; because they are in the things
themselves, whether they are perceived or not: and upon their different
modifications it is that the secondary qualities depend.

The other two are only powers to act differently upon other things:
which powers result from the different modifications of those primary
qualities.

24. The first are Resemblances; the second thought to be Resemblances,
but are not, the third neither are nor are thought so.

But, though the two latter sorts of qualities are powers barely, and
nothing but powers, relating to several other bodies, and resulting from
the different modifications of the original qualities, yet they are
generally otherwise thought of. For the SECOND sort, viz. the powers
to produce several ideas in us, by our senses, are looked upon as real
qualities in the things thus affecting us: but the THIRD sort are called
and esteemed barely powers, v.g. The idea of heat or light, which we
receive by our eyes, or touch, from the sun, are commonly thought real
qualities existing in the sun, and something more than mere powers in
it. But when we consider the sun in reference to wax, which it melts or
blanches, we look on the whiteness and softness produced in the wax, not
as qualities in the sun, but effects produced by powers in it. Whereas,
if rightly considered, these qualities of light and warmth, which are
perceptions in me when I am warmed or enlightened by the sun, are no
otherwise in the sun, than the changes made in the wax, when it is
blanched or melted, are in the sun. They are all of them equally POWERS
IN THE SUN, DEPENDING ON ITS PRIMARY QUALITIES; whereby it is able, in
the one case, so to alter the bulk, figure, texture, or motion of some
of the insensible parts of my eyes or hands, as thereby to produce in me
the idea of light or heat; and in the other, it is able so to alter the
bulk, figure, texture, or motion of the insensible parts of the wax, as
to make them fit to produce in me the distinct ideas of white and fluid.

25. Why the secondary are ordinarily taken for real Qualities and not
for bare Powers.

The reason why the one are ordinarily taken for real qualities, and the
other only for bare powers, seems to be because the ideas we have of
distinct colours, sounds, &c. containing nothing at all in them of bulk,
figure, or motion we are not apt to think them the effects of these
primary qualities; which appear not, to our senses, to operate in their