But in the subject of love, a subject that chiefly hath reference unto the two senses of seeing and touching, something may be done without the graces of mind, but little or nothing without the corporal. Beauty is the true availful advantage of women: it is so peculiarly theirs, that ours, though it require some features and different allurements, is not in their right cue or true bias, unless confused with theirs; childish and beardless. It is reported that such as serve the great Turk under the title of beauty (whereof the number is infinite) are dismissed at furthest when they once come to the age of two and twenty years. Discourse, discretion, together with the offices of true amity, are better found amongst men; and therefore govern they the world’s affairs.

From Montaigne’s Essays, translated by J. Florio, Amherst, New York: Prometheus Books, 2005, p. 252.