Those harlot eyes were never lowered; they courted pleasure, a pleasure without fatigue which one summons and receives. - Émile Zola

She was cold by nature, self-love predominating over passion; rather than being virtuous, she preferred to have her pleasures all to herself.

Haven’t I told you scores of times that you’re always beginners, and the greatest satisfaction was not in being at the top, but in getting there, in the enjoyment you get out of scaling the heights? ... If only we could have the courage to hang ourselves in front of our last masterpiece!

La certitude d'avoir empêche de désirer.