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**Verse 44**
The five-fold categories, beginning with the substance, are in reality a collection of qualities. If the qualities are different from the collection, then what will remain of the collection? That is, nothing will remain. In this way, if the qualities are different from the substance, then the substance is absent.
**Commentary**
This verse points out the flaw in the idea that substance and qualities are distinct. If substance is different from qualities, then either there would be an infinite number of substances, or substance would cease to exist.
**Explanation**
If qualities are distinct from substance, then they must either be dependent on substance or independent of it.
* **Dependent Qualities:** If qualities are dependent on substance, then there would be an infinite number of substances. For example, if knowledge is a quality that depends on a substance, then there would be an infinite number of substances, each with its own knowledge.
* **Independent Qualities:** If qualities are independent of substance, then substance would cease to exist. For example, if knowledge is a quality that is independent of substance, then there would be no need for a substance to support it.
Therefore, the idea that substance and qualities are distinct is flawed. The five-fold categories, beginning with the substance, are in reality a collection of qualities.