Who said “Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits…”?

Verified

Henri Frederic Amiel. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceJournal Intime (1882), 27 October 1856

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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“Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark.”
VerifiedJournal Intime (1882), 27 October 1856 · evidencePassion

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Journal Intime (1882), 27 October 1856.

APA

Amiel, H. F. (n.d.). Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/28579-without-passion-man-is-a-mere-latent-force/

MLA

Amiel, Henri Frederic. “Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/28579-without-passion-man-is-a-mere-latent-force/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Amiel, Henri Frederic. “Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/28579-without-passion-man-is-a-mere-latent-force/.