To attempt the destruction of our passions is the height of folly. What a noble aim is that of the zealot who tortures himself like a madman in order to desire nothing, love nothing, feel nothing, and who, if he succeeded, would end up a complete monster!

Diderot who had been under police surveillance since 1747 was swiftly identified as the author. Denis Diderot (French: [dəni didʁo]) (October 5 1713 – July 31 1784) was a French philosopher art critic and writer. The decree did not stop the work which went on but its difficulties increased by the necessity of being clandestine.

He was a prominent person during the Enlightenment and is best known for serving as co-founder chief editor of and contributor to the Encyclopédie along with Jean le Rond d'Alembert. Denis Diderot (French: [dəni didʁo]) (October 5 1713 – July 31 1784) was a French philosopher art critic and writer.