“On meurt deux fois, je le vois bien :
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Cesser d’aimer & d’être aimable,
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C’est une mort insupportable :
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Cesser de vivre, ce n’est rien.”. Source
This poignant verse comes from the 17th-century French poet Jean de La Fontaine. He suggests we face two deaths. The first is a spiritual one: the moment we stop loving and engaging with the world. He calls this death “unsupportable.” The second, physical death, is “nothing” in comparison. Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Project – The George Washington University
While La Fontaine penned these words, their spirit resonates powerfully with the philosophy of a more modern icon: Eleanor Roosevelt. She championed a life defined not by its length, but by its depth and breadth of experience. Roosevelt’s entire worldview was an antidote to the spiritual death La Fontaine described. She believed that a life without new experiences, challenges, and connections was a life half-lived. Therefore, exploring her philosophy offers a practical guide to living fully and avoiding that “unbearable” first death.
. The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Project – George Washington University
Embracing Fear and the Unknown
Eleanor Roosevelt’s philosophy centered on a simple yet profound idea. We must actively seek out experiences, especially those that frighten us. She famously advised, “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” This was not just a clever phrase for her. Instead, it was a principle she lived by, overcoming her own shyness and insecurities to become a global figure.
For Roosevelt, growth was impossible without discomfort. Staying within our comfort zones leads to stagnation, the very state La Fontaine warned against. Consequently, she urged people to push their boundaries. Each time you face a fear, you gain strength, courage, and confidence. This process of confronting challenges builds a rich inner life. It ensures you are always learning, evolving, and truly living. This constant engagement with the world keeps your spirit alive and vibrant.
The Power of Novelty
Neuroscience now supports what Roosevelt knew intuitively. Engaging in novel experiences stimulates the brain and can increase feelings of well-being. . When we try something new, whether it’s learning a skill, visiting a new place, or talking to a stranger, we are actively fighting against the monotony that dulls the spirit. This pursuit of novelty is a direct rejection of the passive, unengaged existence that leads to the first death. Source
Experience as the Engine of Personal Growth
Roosevelt understood that experience is our greatest teacher. You cannot learn resilience from a book. You cannot develop empathy without engaging with others. Life’s most important lessons are learned through direct participation. For example, her extensive travels and humanitarian work gave her a unique perspective on the world. These experiences shaped her identity and fueled her passion for social justice.
This contrasts sharply with a passive approach to life. Merely observing is not enough. To truly live, you must immerse yourself in the world around you. This means embracing both triumphs and failures. Indeed, Roosevelt believed that adversity was a particularly potent catalyst for growth. A setback is not just a failure; it is an experience that provides invaluable feedback. It teaches you about your limits, your strengths, and your capacity to endure. Each challenge overcome adds another layer to your character, making your life’s story richer and more meaningful.
Building a Life of Purpose, Not Perfection
A common fear that holds people back is the fear of not being perfect. We wait for the perfect time, the perfect plan, or the perfect skill set. However, Roosevelt’s philosophy encourages action over perfection. The goal is not to execute every task flawlessly. Instead, the purpose is to gather experiences and learn from them. A life filled with imperfect but authentic experiences is far more fulfilling than a life spent waiting on the sidelines.
Consider the small, everyday opportunities for new experiences. You could try a different route to work. You could strike up a conversation with a barista. You could listen to a genre of music you normally avoid. These minor acts of exploration cultivate a spirit of curiosity. Furthermore, they reinforce the habit of engagement. This adventurous spirit, applied consistently, transforms life from a passive sequence of events into an active, exciting journey. A recent survey on life’s biggest regrets highlights this point. Many people regret not taking more chances and living more fully.
In Conclusion: Avoiding the ‘First Death’
Jean de La Fontaine’s words serve as a stark reminder. A life devoid of love, connection, and engagement is a tragedy. Eleanor Roosevelt’s philosophy provides the roadmap to avoid this fate. By actively pursuing new experiences, confronting our fears, and embracing a spirit of curiosity, we can lead lives of purpose and vitality.
Ultimately, the goal is to arrive at the end of our physical lives with a rich tapestry of memories, lessons, and connections. We can ensure our spirits have truly lived. Therefore, we should not just exist; we should seek, feel, and grow. In doing so, we honor the profound truth in both La Fontaine’s poetry and Roosevelt’s life: ceasing to live is nothing compared to never having lived at all.