“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 French quatrain circulates widely online. People often attribute it to the German literary titan Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Its words capture a profound truth about the human condition. They suggest that a life without love is a fate worse than death itself. However, the connection to Goethe is more complex than a simple attribution.
This article unpacks the true origins of this powerful verse. We will trace its journey through 18th-century French literary circles. Furthermore, we will explore the enduring meaning that makes it resonate with so many people today. While Goethe’s name lends it weight, the story behind the quote is fascinating on its own.
The Goethe Connection: A Case of Misattribution
Many people associate these lines with Goethe for good reason. His works, such as The Sorrows of Young Werther and Faust, masterfully explore themes of love, existential despair, and the search for meaning. The sentiment of the quatrain certainly aligns with the romantic and deeply humanistic spirit of his writing. Consequently, it feels like something he could have written.
However, a thorough search of his extensive body of work reveals no such passage. Literary scholars have meticulously cataloged his poems, plays, letters, and scientific writings. This specific French verse does not appear among them . The attribution appears to be a modern invention, likely amplified by the internet’s tendency to assign profound quotes to famous figures. This practice, while common, often obscures the true source of these insightful words. Source
Finding the True Source: A Journey into French Literature
To find the quote’s real author, we must travel back to 18th-century France. The verse is a classic epigram from that era. Its most famous appearance comes from a letter written by Voltaire, another giant of European literature. In 1769, Voltaire quoted the verse in a letter to his correspondent, Madame du Deffand. Interestingly, he did not claim authorship himself.
Voltaire (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) attributed the epigram to the Chevalier de Boufflers, a French nobleman, poet, and witty member of high society. Stanislas de Boufflers was known for his light, elegant, and often sentimental poetry. This style fits the quatrain perfectly. While some debate still exists, most evidence points to Boufflers as the original author. The quote gained immense popularity after Voltaire, a leading tastemaker of his time, shared it. Its journey highlights how words were shared and celebrated within the intellectual salons of the Enlightenment.
. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe – Britannica
Deconstructing the ‘Two Deaths’
The epigram’s power lies in its stark and insightful comparison. It presents a philosophy of life centered entirely on connection and affection. Let’s break down its meaning. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe – Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
The first line, “On meurt deux fois, je le vois bien,” translates to “We die twice, I see it well.” This immediately establishes a thought-provoking premise. It forces the reader to consider a death beyond the physical one. The next lines define this first, more terrible death: “Cesser d’aimer & d’être aimable” (To cease to love and be lovable). This describes a state of emotional and social isolation. It is a death of the heart.
The author then declares this emotional death “une mort insupportable” (an unbearable death). This is the core of the message. The pain of losing the capacity for love and connection is presented as the ultimate suffering. Finally, the last line delivers a shocking conclusion: “Cesser de vivre, ce n’est rien” (To cease to live, that is nothing). In comparison to the unbearable death of the heart, the physical end of life is dismissed as insignificant. It is a bold and deeply romantic statement.
Why This Message Still Resonates
The epigram’s sentiment transcends its 18th-century origins. It speaks to a universal human truth: our profound need for connection. Modern psychology consistently reinforces the importance of strong social bonds for mental and physical health. Conversely, loneliness and social isolation are linked to numerous negative health outcomes. Indeed, many health experts now consider loneliness a significant public health issue.
This enduring message is likely why the quote eventually became associated with a figure like Goethe. His work consistently champions the depth of human feeling. He understood that a life devoid of passion and connection was a hollow existence. Therefore, while Boufflers likely penned the words, they express a sentiment that is purely Goethian in spirit. The quote reminds us that building and nurturing our relationships is not just a pleasant pastime. It is the very essence of a life fully lived.
In summary, the beautiful French verse about dying twice is a classic case of popular misattribution. It originates not from Goethe, but from the elegant pen of an 18th-century French nobleman, the Chevalier de Boufflers. Voltaire’s endorsement helped popularize it. Yet, its incorrect association with Goethe speaks to a deeper truth about its universal message. It captures a profound idea about love and connection that aligns perfectly with our understanding of a meaningful human experience.