During the French Revolution, on 10 November 1793, a Goddess of Reason (most likely representing Sophia (wisdom)) was proclaimed by the French Convention at the suggestion of Chaumette. As personification for the goddess, Sophie Momoro, wife of the printer Antoine-François Momoro, was chosen. The goddess was celebrated in Notre Dame de Paris (she was put on the high altar in the Cathedral).
Famous quotes containing the words goddess and/or reason:
“Her track, where’er the Goddess roves,
Glory pursue, and generous Shame,
Th’ unconquerable Mind, and Freedom’s holy flame.”
—Thomas Gray (1716–1771)
“There is also a reasonable tolerance: reason tolerates the reasonable. It is, however, almost tautological to call this ‘tolerance’ any longer, as it becomes a matter of course.”
—Friedrich Dürrenmatt (1921–1990)