Life Is Thick Sown with Thorns

“On meurt deux Source fois, je le vois bien : > > Cesser d’aimer & d’être aimable, > > C’est une mort insupportable : > > Cesser de vivre, ce n’est rien.”

The Origin of Voltaire’s Philosophy on Life’s Challenges

Voltaire’s perspective on navigating life’s hardships has intrigued scholars and enthusiasts alike. The phrase often attributed to him suggests that life is filled with difficulties. The best approach is to move swiftly through them. This sentiment appears in Louis Mayeul Chaudon’s 1785 biography of Voltaire. However, questions about its authenticity arise. The phrase never appeared in Voltaire’s own writings during his lifetime.

Scholars believe Chaudon first introduced Voltaire’s notion of life’s thorny nature in his “Mémoires Pour Servir à L’Histoire de M. Source de Voltaire.” English translators rendered it in 1786 as: “Life, said Voltaire, is thick sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them.” This version appeared in “Historical and Critical Memoirs of the Life and Writings of M. de Voltaire.” It highlights how difficult it is to verify historical quotes. Chaudon’s research accuracy determined the biography’s reliability.

Life Is Thick Sown with Thorns Quote Origin

Understanding the “life is thick sown with thorns, and i know no other remedy quote origin” requires examining multiple sources. Chaudon’s biography remains the earliest known publication of this phrase. Yet scholars continue to debate whether Voltaire actually spoke or wrote these exact words.

Exploring Voltaire’s Authentic Correspondence

Although Voltaire’s lifetime works do not contain the famous quote, a 1769 letter he wrote uses similar imagery. His complete works’ twelfth volume published this letter. It uses the metaphor of life’s thorns. Voltaire writes, “La vie est hérissée de ces épines, et je n’y sais d’autre remède que de cultiver son jardin.” The English translation reads: “Life is bristling with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to cultivate one’s garden.”

The garden metaphor connects directly to Voltaire’s philosophy in “Candide.” The protagonist concludes in the tale: “we must cultivate our garden.” This suggests a focus on tangible actions over abstract speculation. The alignment between the letter and “Candide” supports the idea that Voltaire endorsed practical solutions. He believed in addressing life’s inevitable challenges through action rather than theory.

Understanding the Deeper Meaning Behind This Wisdom

Researching the “life is thick sown with thorns, and i know no other remedy quote origin” reveals this connection to authentic Voltaire writings. His garden philosophy complements the thorns metaphor. Both express his pragmatic worldview.

The Enduring Legacy and Circulation of the Quote

The thorns metaphor gained traction in English-language publications throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. “The Political Herald, and Review” reprinted the quote in 1786. This helped establish its widespread recognition. By 1817, “The Scots Magazine” offered a slightly altered translation. It used “all bristling” instead of “thick sown.” Such variations did not diminish the quote’s impact.

The quote appeared in various forms throughout history. Reverend Daniel Wise included it in “The Young Man’s Counsellor” in 1850. This further cemented its association with Voltaire. Later works continued citing it. Maturin M. Ballou’s “Edge-Tools of Speech” (1886) and “The New Dictionary of Thoughts” (1927) both referenced the phrase. Modern compilations like Mardy Grothe’s 2008 book still feature it. This demonstrates its lasting influence on popular culture.

How This Quote Continues Inspiring Modern Readers

Investigating the “life is thick sown with thorns, and i know no other remedy quote origin” shows how powerful quotes spread through successive publications. Each reprinting reinforced its association with Voltaire. Few readers questioned its authenticity once established sources repeated it.

Conclusion: Voltaire’s Pragmatic Approach

We cannot confirm with absolute certainty that Voltaire authored the exact phrase. However, the evidence suggests he likely inspired it. His writings and correspondence consistently use the thorns metaphor when discussing life’s challenges. The “life is thick sown with thorns, and i know no other remedy quote origin” ultimately traces back to Chaudon’s biography rather than Voltaire’s direct words. Whether advocating for cultivating one’s garden or moving swiftly through difficulties, Voltaire’s philosophy emphasizes action over despair. This pragmatic approach continues to resonate today. It offers timeless wisdom for navigating the thorns of life.

Life Is Thick Sown with Thorns, and I Know No Other Remedy Than…