All passions exaggerate; and they are passions only because they do exaggerate

All passions exaggerate; and they are passions only because they do exaggerate

Nicolas Chamfort, a French writer and moralist known for his sharp wit and insightful observations, once famously said, “All passions exaggerate; and they are passions only because they do exaggerate.” This statement speaks to the inherent nature of human emotions and desires to intensify and magnify our experiences.

Passion, by its very definition, is a strong and uncontrollable emotion. It can drive us to great heights of joy and ecstasy, but it can also lead us to the depths of despair and destruction. Chamfort understood that passion has the power to amplify our feelings and actions, often leading us to act in ways that are irrational and extreme.