“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 powerful French verse speaks to a profound human truth. It translates to: “One dies twice, I see it well: To cease to love and to be lovable, that is an unbearable death: To cease to live, that is nothing.” The author suggests two distinct deaths. The first is a spiritual or emotional death, which is the loss of connection and affection. This, the author argues, is the truly unbearable end. In contrast, the second death, the physical cessation of life, is comparatively insignificant. John Muir – National Park Service
A Common Misattribution
While this quote beautifully captures a passion for life, it is often mistakenly attributed to the naturalist John Muir. However, the words belong to the 17th-century French poet Jean de La Fontaine. . This clarification is important. Nevertheless, the quote’s spirit—the idea that a life without passion is no life at all—resonates deeply with the philosophy that John Muir embodied throughout his entire existence. Source
For Muir, that essential love was directed at the wild, untamed corners of the world. His life was a testament to the idea that a connection to nature was not a luxury but a fundamental human need. Therefore, losing that connection would have been his own “unbearable death.”
. John Muir – Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
The Man Who Listened to Mountains
John Muir’s journey began not in serene wilderness but in an industrial setting. A factory accident in 1867 nearly blinded him. During his recovery, he saw the world with new eyes. He vowed to waste no more time on machines. Instead, he would devote himself to the inventions of nature. This pivotal moment launched him on a 1,000-mile walk from Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico. Consequently, this trek solidified his commitment to exploring and protecting the natural world.
Muir’s wanderings eventually led him to the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. There, he found his true home and purpose. He spent years exploring the Yosemite Valley and the surrounding high country. He documented the region’s geology, flora, and fauna with scientific curiosity and poetic reverence. His writings were not dry academic reports. Instead, they were passionate pleas for others to experience the beauty he saw. He invited everyone to receive what he called nature’s “good tidings.”
Forging a Lasting Legacy
John Muir was more than just a wanderer; he was a highly effective activist. He understood that without formal protection, the places he loved would vanish. His articles and books captivated a national audience, including influential figures like President Theodore Roosevelt. Furthermore, his tireless advocacy was instrumental in the establishment of several national parks. . Source
In 1892, he co-founded the Sierra Club. The organization’s mission was to “do something for wildness and make the mountains glad.” Under his leadership, the Sierra Club became a formidable force for conservation. It fought to protect wilderness areas from commercial exploitation and development. The club’s membership and influence grew steadily, reflecting a rising public awareness of environmental issues. This growth represents a major part of his enduring impact on American conservation.
Muir’s Philosophy: Nature as a Necessity
At the core of Muir’s work was a revolutionary idea. He believed that nature possessed intrinsic value, separate from its usefulness to humanity. This put him at odds with the prevailing conservationist view of his time, which focused on the sustainable use of natural resources. For Muir, a tree was more than just timber. A river was more than a source of irrigation. These were sacred elements of a larger, interconnected whole.
He championed the concept of wilderness as a place for spiritual renewal and psychological healing. He famously wrote, “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home.” This sentiment is perhaps more relevant today than ever before. In our fast-paced, digital world, the need for a genuine connection to the natural environment is critical for our well-being. Muir’s philosophy reminds us that protecting wild places is not just about saving landscapes; it is about saving an essential part of ourselves.
In summary, while the opening quote may not be his, its soul aligns perfectly with John Muir’s life. He showed us that a life filled with love for the world around us is the only one worth living. His legacy challenges us to find our own wilderness, to protect it fiercely, and to never suffer the unbearable death of losing our connection to it.