“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 verse speaks to a profound human truth. It suggests we face not one, but two distinct deaths in our lifetime. One is an emotional death, which the author calls unbearable. The other is the physical end of life, which is dismissed as almost trivial in comparison. For years, people have shared this quote, often attributing it to the great novelist Charles Dickens. However, the true origin and deeper meaning reveal a fascinating story about what it truly means to be alive.
This post explores the layers of this powerful statement. We will dissect the concept of the two deaths. Furthermore, we will correct the common misattribution and discuss why its message about love and connection feels more relevant than ever in our modern world.
. Charles Dickens Museum – Official Website
The First, Unbearable Death: A Soul’s End
The author declares the first death is to “cesser d’aimer & d’être aimable.” This translates to ceasing to love and to be lovable. This is not about a single heartbreak. Instead, it describes a complete erosion of one’s capacity for connection. It is the loss of affection, empathy, and warmth. Consequently, one becomes isolated, unable to give or receive the kindness that fuels the human spirit. Charles Dickens Museum – Official Biography and Works
Why is this death “insupportable” or unbearable? Because a life devoid of love and friendship is a hollow existence. It represents a social and emotional death that happens while the body is still living. Humans are inherently social creatures. When we lose the ability to form meaningful bonds, we lose a core part of our identity. This internal emptiness, this quiet fading of the soul, is presented as the ultimate tragedy. It is a state of being that precedes physical death but is far more terrifying. Charles Dickens – Victorian Web
The Second Death: A Mere Footnote
In stark contrast, the quote concludes that to “cesser de vivre, ce n’est rien”—to cease to live is nothing. This is a deliberately provocative and powerful statement. The author dramatically downplays the significance of physical death. This may seem shocking at first glance. After all, mortality is one of humanity’s greatest fears. However, the logic within the verse is clear and compelling. Charles Dickens – Biography and Works
If one has already suffered the emotional death of isolation and lovelessness, then the physical end is merely a biological event. It is the cessation of a life that has already lost its meaning and color. The spirit has already departed. Therefore, the body’s end becomes an afterthought. The real tragedy, the unbearable pain, has already occurred. This perspective forces us to re-evaluate our fears. It suggests we should fear a life without connection far more than death itself. Charles Dickens | Biography, Books, Characters, Facts, & Analysis
. Voltaire | Biography, Philosophy, Beliefs, Religion, Works, & Facts
A Case of Mistaken Identity: Voltaire’s Pen, Not Dickens’
For many, this quote is linked to Charles Dickens, perhaps because its deep emotional sentiment echoes the themes in his novels. However, this attribution is incorrect. The words do not belong to Dickens. They were, in fact, written by the celebrated French Enlightenment writer and philosopher, Voltaire.
Experts trace the quote back to a personal correspondence. . In the letter, Voltaire reflects on aging, loss, and the nature of existence. Knowing the true author adds another layer of meaning. Voltaire was a fierce advocate for reason and social reform, yet this quote reveals a deep understanding of the emotional heart. Source
Why does the misattribution persist? It likely happens because the sentiment aligns so well with the melancholic and character-driven worlds Dickens created. Characters like Miss Havisham in Great Expectations embody this very idea—a person living in a state of emotional death long before her physical one. Nevertheless, crediting Voltaire Foundation – University of Oxford is essential to truly understanding the quote’s intellectual and historical context.
Modern Relevance in an Age of Disconnection
Centuries after Voltaire penned these lines, his message remains incredibly potent. In our hyper-connected yet often isolating digital world, the idea of an “unbearable” social death resonates deeply. We can have thousands of online friends but still feel profoundly alone. The quote serves as a powerful reminder to cultivate genuine, meaningful relationships.
Furthermore, it encourages introspection. Are we actively loving and making ourselves lovable through kindness and empathy? Or are we slowly retreating into a shell of indifference? The verse challenges us to prioritize our emotional well-being and our connections with others above all else. It argues that the richness of our lives is not measured in years, but in the love we give and receive. In conclusion, this timeless piece of wisdom urges us to fight against the unbearable death every single day by choosing connection, choosing empathy, and choosing love.