In reply to the question, I say that it is not possible to affirm properly that the desire for knowledge does increase, although, as has been said, it does expand in a certain way.

For that which properly increases is always one; the desire for knowledge is not always one, but is many; and one desire fulfilled, another comes; so that, properly speaking, its expansion is not its increase, but it is advance of a succession of smaller things into great things.

For if I desire to know the principles of natural things, as soon as I know these, that desire is satisfied and there is an end of it.

If I then desire to know the why and the wherefore of each one of these principles, this is a new desire altogether.

Nor by the advent of that new desire am I deprived of the perfection to which the other might lead me.