For the question here is not concerning our genius and elocution, but our species and figure.

If we could make and assume to ourselves any form, would you be unwilling to resemble the sea-triton as he is painted supported swimming on sea-monsters whose bodies are partly human?
Here I touch on a difficult point; for so great is the force of nature that there is no man who would not choose to be like a man, nor, indeed, any ant that would not be like an ant.

But like what man?
For how few can pretend to beauty! When I was at Athens, the whole flock of youths afforded scarcely one.

You laugh, I see; but what I tell you is the truth.

Nay, to us who, after the examples of ancient philosophers, delight in boys, defects are often pleasing.