power is a reality that, by its nature, makes bringing into existence possible, while will is a reality that, by its nature, makes it possible to specify one state rather than another for a thing that comes into being. Different effects necessarily entail a difference in the cause itself. Speech, by contrast, produces no effect through its relations to the things to which it relates, let alone differing effects.

He said: This is open to objection. Even if we concede that different effects cannot proceed from a single cause—though this itself may be disputed—this would entail differences within power itself. For power produces existence, and according to our companions, existence is the essence itself, not something additional to it. Otherwise, essences would be established in nonexistence, which is not a position we hold. And if existence is the essence itself—established in nonexistence, which is not a position we hold—and if existence is the essence itself, then essences differ. Thus, power produces different effects, and would consequently have to differ, as their argument maintains. Yet this is not the case.

Moreover, even if the distinction they mention holds for power and will, it does not