There is only one passion, the passion for happiness.

“There is only one passion, the passion for happiness.” So declared Denis Diderot, the fiery spirit of the Enlightenment, whose words still echo across the centuries like a call to awakening. In this brief but profound statement, Diderot revealed a truth that dwells at the heart of all human striving: that every desire, every struggle, every dream—no matter how grand or humble—is born of a single yearning, the longing to be happy. Whether we seek knowledge, love, power, beauty, or peace, we are all pilgrims traveling the same road, drawn by the same light—the passion for happiness.

Diderot lived in an age when reason was breaking free from superstition, when the mind of man sought to illuminate the darkness of ignorance. As one of the great architects of the Encyclopédie, he labored not for wealth or glory, but for the liberation of the human spirit. He saw clearly that beneath all the philosophies and ambitions of mankind lay a simple truth: every being, from the humblest laborer to the wisest scholar, is moved by the desire to find joy, to live in harmony with himself and with the world. Thus, he called happiness the one true passion—the universal fire that fuels all others.

To understand Diderot’s meaning, we must see that this passion is not mere pleasure or fleeting delight. Pleasure is a spark; happiness is the sun. Pleasure fades with the moment—it depends upon circumstance, upon fortune, upon the body. But happiness is deeper: it is the serenity of the soul, the alignment of one’s being with truth, goodness, and purpose. Diderot knew that a man who pursues wealth, or fame, or even love, seeks them not for their own sake, but because he believes they will lead him to joy. All paths of desire, whether noble or misguided, have one destination—the search for fulfillment, the peace that comes when the heart is at rest.

Consider the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the prince who became the Buddha. Surrounded by luxury, sheltered from sorrow, he tasted every indulgence the world could offer. Yet he found no peace. The pleasures that should have satisfied him left him hollow, for they were not the true source of happiness. When he left his palace and wandered among the suffering of the world, he realized that happiness cannot be purchased or possessed—it must be awakened within. Through meditation and compassion, he discovered that the path to joy lies in freedom from attachment and in union with truth. Thus, even in distant lands and different faiths, the wisdom of Diderot’s words shines through: all passion is, at its core, the passion for happiness.

But Diderot also reminds us of a paradox. Though all men seek happiness, few find it, because they chase it in the wrong direction. They look outward, not inward. They believe happiness lies in what they can conquer, own, or consume. Yet true happiness is not in the world’s treasures—it is in the state of the soul. The one who gives, who loves, who creates, who understands—such a person knows joy that no loss can steal. The wise learn to transform their passion from a restless hunger into a radiant force, a fire that warms rather than burns.

This passion for happiness is not a weakness but a sacred power. It drives poets to write, scientists to seek, lovers to endure, and saints to serve. It is the current that flows through every act of creation and every act of kindness. When harnessed with wisdom, it uplifts the world; when left ungoverned, it consumes the heart. Therefore, the ancient counsel still stands: know thyself, and thou shalt know peace. For to understand one’s own passion for happiness is to master it—to direct it not toward fleeting pleasure, but toward lasting goodness and harmony.

Let this be the lesson passed on to all who walk the path of life: do not be ashamed of your longing for happiness, for it is the pulse of existence itself. But learn to purify that longing—seek joy not in possession, but in purpose; not in taking, but in giving; not in illusion, but in truth. Each day, act with kindness, cultivate gratitude, and pursue understanding. These are the hands with which one builds lasting happiness. For as Diderot taught, there is only one true passion—and it is not greed, or fame, or power—it is the sacred passion for happiness, the flame that burns within every soul, urging us to become more human, more compassionate, and more free.