He was diligent, as long as fear urged him forward, but his exertions ceased with the cessation of this motive.

The limits of his acquirements consisted in signing his name, and spelling out a chapter in the bible.
My character was the reverse of his.

My thirst of knowledge was augmented in proportion as it was supplied with gratification.

The more I heard or read, the more restless and unconquerable my curiosity became.

My senses were perpetually alive to novelty, my fancy teemed with visions of the future, and my attention fastened upon every thing mysterious or unknown.
My father intended that my knowledge should keep pace with that of my brother, but conceived that all beyond the mere capacity to write and read was useless or pernicious.