Quote by Denis Diderot: “Only passions, and great passions, can elevate the soul to great things.”

Diderot contends that strong emotions are not hindrances but catalysts for human achievement. He believes that deep, intense passions are necessary to inspire individuals to reach their full potential and accomplish remarkable deeds, fueling ambition and creativity.

From Rameau's Nephew, a philosophical dialogue exploring the tension between reason and passion. Diderot often critiqued rigid rationalism, acknowledging the vital role of emotion in human experience and creativity during the Enlightenment.

French philosopher and writer born in 1713, the chief editor of the Encyclopédie, one of the most ambitious intellectual projects of the Enlightenment. The Encyclopédie sought to gather and disseminate all human knowledge in one place and to challenge religious and political orthodoxy through reason. He was imprisoned for his writings attacking religion.