"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!"

This quote by Denis Diderot talks to the futility of attempting to ruin our enthusiasms. He suggests that the zealot who attempts to do so is misdirected, as it would be the equivalent of a madman abusing himself. If the zealot were to succeed in his endeavor, he would be left a total monster, lacking any emotion or desire. Diderot's quote works as a warning against trying to reduce our enthusiasms, as it would be an unproductive undertaking that would ultimately cause a life of vacuum and misery. He recommends that it is much better to accept our enthusiasms and use them to enhance our lives, instead of attempting to ruin them.