“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.”
This poignant quote circulates widely online. People often attribute it to the brilliant German-Swiss author Hermann Hesse. They link it to his profound explorations of life, love, and spirituality. The words seem to fit perfectly within his philosophical landscape. However, a fascinating literary mystery unfolds when we try to find its source. The truth is, Hermann Hesse never wrote these lines. This quote belongs to a different giant of European thought.
Our journey begins by correcting the record. We will uncover the quote’s true author and context. Then, we will explore why this specific sentiment resonates so strongly with Hesse’s known philosophies. This common misattribution reveals a deeper connection between the ideas of two great writers. Ultimately, it highlights a universal human truth about the nature of existence.
The Real Author: A Voice from the Enlightenment
The beautiful French verse about dying twice does not come from the 20th-century world of Hermann Hesse. Source Instead, its origins trace back to the 18th-century French Enlightenment. The true author is François-Marie Arouet, better known by his pen name, Voltaire. Voltaire was a master of satire, a fierce advocate for reason, and a prolific writer of letters, essays, and plays. He penned these lines in a 1761 poem titled Les Deux Morts (The Two Deaths), which he included in a letter to Charles-Augustin de Ferriol d’Argental .
The poem translates to: “One dies twice, I see it well: / To cease to love & to be lovable, / That is an unbearable death: / To cease to live, that is nothing.” Voltaire contrasts physical death with a more painful, spiritual one. For him, the end of love and connection was a fate worse than the simple cessation of life. This idea reflects the Enlightenment’s focus on human experience, emotion, and social bonds.
Why Does the Misattribution Occur?
So, how did a quote from Voltaire become so firmly attached to Hermann Hesse? Source This phenomenon is common in the digital age. Quotes often become detached from their original sources. They are shared on social media and websites without proper verification. Over time, a popular but incorrect attribution can become accepted as fact. Studies have shown that a significant number of quotes shared online are partially incorrect or completely misattributed .
In this case, the thematic overlap is a powerful factor. Hesse’s novels frequently explore the concept of duality and the inner struggles of the soul. His characters often feel torn between two worlds. This theme of a ‘second life’ or a ‘second self’ aligns perfectly with Voltaire’s idea of ‘two deaths’. The emotional depth and philosophical weight of the quote feel very much at home in Hesse’s literary universe. Consequently, people readily accept the connection without questioning its authenticity.
Hesse’s True Voice: Flashes of Insight on Life and Duality
To truly understand Hesse, we must turn to his own words. While he did not write the Voltaire quote, his work is filled with its own ‘flashes of light’—profound insights into the human condition. Hesse’s philosophy often centered on the journey of self-discovery. He encouraged readers to look within to find meaning, peace, and authenticity.
In Siddhartha, the protagonist seeks enlightenment by experiencing life in all its forms. He learns that wisdom comes not from rejecting the world but from embracing its contradictions. Siddhartha discovers that love, suffering, joy, and despair are all essential parts of a whole. He states, “I have always believed, and I still believe, that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value.” This perspective offers a different, more integrated view of life’s challenges compared to Voltaire’s stark separation of two deaths.
The Steppenwolf and the Fractured Soul
Perhaps no work captures Hesse’s ideas on duality better than Steppenwolf. The protagonist, Harry Haller, believes he has two natures. One is human, refined, and intellectual. The other is a ‘wolf of the steppes’—wild, lonely, and instinctual. Harry’s great suffering comes from this internal war. He feels his soul is fractured into two irreconcilable pieces.
Throughout the novel, Hesse deconstructs this simplistic duality. He shows Harry that the human soul is not just two parts but a multitude of selves. The journey is not about choosing one side over the other. Instead, it is about learning to accept and even laugh at the complex orchestra of voices within. This nuanced exploration of the self is a hallmark of Hesse’s work. It moves beyond a simple binary of life versus love, delving into the rich, chaotic, and beautiful complexity of human identity.
The Enduring Power of a Shared Idea
Ultimately, the misattribution of Voltaire’s quote to Hesse does not diminish the power of the words. It actually highlights a timeless and universal truth that great thinkers across centuries have explored. The idea that a life without love is a kind of death is a powerful one. It speaks to our fundamental need for connection, meaning, and affection.
Voltaire articulated this with elegant precision. Hesse explored its psychological depths through the complex journeys of his characters. While one used the language of Enlightenment poetry, the other used the narrative of 20th-century existential fiction. Both authors, however, guide us toward the same essential conclusion: the quality of our lives is defined by our capacity to love and be loved.
In conclusion, separating fact from fiction is important. We should credit Voltaire for his beautiful verse. Yet, we can also appreciate why so many felt it belonged to Hesse. The confusion itself is a testament to the profound themes that connect these two literary masters across time. It reminds us that the quest to understand life, death, and love is a central, enduring part of the human story.