But the immediate comment here is that in assuming 'nearer' or 'more distant' parts of matter the same distinction arises with respect to attraction, namely, granted that a first atom acts upon a second, this second atom would find itself between that first atom and a more distant third atom, and this third atom would then most directly fall within the sphere of attraction of the second atom lying closest to it between it and the first; the first atom would not therefore exercise an immediate simple action upon the third; it follows that the action of attraction would be just as mediated as that of repulsion; further, the true penetration of the force of attraction would have to consist only in this, that every part of matter is attractive in and for itself, not that a certain number of them behaves passively and only one atom actively.