There is no desire more natural than the desire of knowledge. (Il n'est desir plus naturel que le desir de connaissance)

I quote others in order to better express myself.

The first distinction among men, and the first consideration that gave one precedence over another, was doubtless the advantage of beauty.

Behold the hands, how they promise, conjure, appeal, menace, pray, supplicate, refuse, beckon, interrogate, admire, confess, cringe, instruct, command, mock and what not besides, with a variation and multiplication of variation which makes the tongue envious.

It is fear that I stand most in fear of, in sharpness it exceeds every other feeling.

Virtue can have naught to do with ease. . . . It craves a steep and thorny path.

The least strained and most natural ways of the soul are the most beautiful; the best occupations are the least forced.