“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 topic has been extensively researched and documented by historians and scholars. Van Gogh Museum – Vincent van Gogh Biography
This powerful verse, often attributed to Vincent van Gogh, cuts directly to the heart of human experience. It speaks a profound truth about existence. While its exact origin is debated, its sentiment perfectly mirrors the passionate, tumultuous soul of the artist. The words resonate deeply because they frame life not by its length, but by its emotional depth. Many people interpret this as a call to choose passion over boredom. However, the literal translation reveals an even more poignant message.
In English, the quote reads: “We die twice, I see it well: To cease to love and be lovable, is an unbearable death: To cease to live is nothing.” Van Gogh suggests two distinct endings. One is the simple cessation of breath. The other, far more terrible, is the death of the heart. This emotional death, the end of love and connection, is the true tragedy. Consequently, the physical end becomes almost insignificant by comparison.
The Two Deaths: Emotional vs. Physical
The quote presents a stark choice in perspective. Society often focuses on extending physical life at all costs. We celebrate longevity and fear our mortal end. Vincent van Gogh – National Gallery of Art, however, challenges this view. He argues that a long life devoid of feeling is not a life at all. The unbearable death is becoming numb, isolated, or incapable of giving and receiving affection. It is the slow fade into emotional irrelevance.
This idea forces us to question our own priorities. Are we living fully, or are we merely existing? The fear should not be of dying, but of never truly connecting with others. For example, a person can go through the motions of daily life for decades. They can work, eat, and sleep. Yet, without passion or love, they might experience this “unbearable death” long before their physical one. This concept elevates emotional vitality to the highest possible value, making it the core metric of a life well-lived.
Why This Message Endures Today
Van Gogh’s sentiment feels more relevant than ever in our modern, often disconnected world. Many people feel a deep sense of isolation despite being constantly connected through technology. The pursuit of careers and material success can sometimes overshadow our need for genuine human bonds. As a result, the quote acts as a powerful reminder of what truly matters. It taps into a collective anxiety about living an inauthentic, unfulfilling life.
Indeed, research highlights a growing