“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 French verse captures a profound human truth. Many attribute the quote to the philosopher Voltaire, and they are partially correct. However, its origins are slightly more complex. The words explore the idea that we experience two fundamental deaths in our lifetime. One is a social and emotional end, while the other is merely the end of our physical existence. The quote argues forcefully that the first death is far more painful than the second.
Let’s delve into the translation, Alexander Pope | Poetry Foundation origin, and enduring meaning of this powerful statement.
Translation and Core Meaning
A direct English translation reveals the quote’s stark comparison:
“We die twice, I see it clearly:
>
To cease to love and be lovable,
>
That is an unbearable death:
>
To cease to live is nothing.”
The message is clear and deeply resonant. The author suggests that the true tragedy of life is not its physical end. Instead, the most insufferable fate is to lose the ability to give and receive love. This ‘first death’ represents a profound isolation. It is the experience of becoming irrelevant, disconnected, and emotionally void while still physically alive. In contrast, the actual cessation of life is presented as a minor event, a simple ‘nothing.’
The True Origin: Voltaire and Chaulieu
While many people link this quote directly to Voltaire, he was actually quoting another writer. The verse appears in a letter Voltaire wrote to Madame du Deffand in 1754. In his letter, he attributes the sentiment to the French poet and abbé, Guillaume Amfrye de Chaulieu. Voltaire slightly adapted the words, but the core idea belongs to Chaulieu. Therefore, giving full credit requires acknowledging both influential figures.
This historical context is crucial. Source Voltaire, a giant of the Enlightenment, used these words to express his own feelings of aging and isolation. He found solace and perfect expression in Chaulieu’s poetry. Consequently, his use of the quote amplified its reach across generations. .
The First Death: An Unbearable End
The quote calls the loss of love an ‘unbearable death.’ This refers to the end of our social and emotional vitality. Humans are inherently social creatures. Our identities are deeply intertwined with our relationships and our sense of belonging. To ‘cease to love’ means losing the capacity for empathy, affection, and connection. Furthermore, to ‘cease to be lovable’ implies becoming invisible or repulsive to others. It is a state of profound loneliness.
This emotional death is a slow, painful process. It is the feeling of being forgotten while the world moves on without you. Modern research consistently highlights the devastating health effects of social isolation. For example, studies have shown that chronic loneliness can be as damaging to a person’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. This scientific finding gives a modern weight to Chaulieu’s centuries-old observation. The unbearable death is not just a poetic concept; it is a tangible threat to our well-being.
The Second Death: A Simple Nothing
In stark contrast, the quote dismisses physical death as ‘nothing.’ This may seem like a radical statement. However, within the quote’s logic, it makes perfect sense. If one has already experienced the unbearable death of isolation, then the end of physical life is merely a final step. It is a release from the suffering of the first death. For the person who no longer loves or is loved, life has already lost its essential meaning.
This perspective prioritizes the quality of our existence over its duration. It suggests that a life without connection is not truly a life at all. Therefore, the physical end is not a tragedy but a quiet conclusion to a story that has already finished. This idea challenges us to focus on nurturing our relationships and our capacity for love throughout our lives.
Why the Quote Endures
The sentiment resonates today because it speaks to a universal human fear: the fear of loneliness. In an increasingly connected yet often isolating world, the idea of an ‘unbearable’ social death feels more relevant than ever. The quote serves as a powerful reminder of what truly matters.
Ultimately, it champions love and connection as the central pillars of a meaningful life. It urges us to cherish our relationships and to remain engaged with the world and with each other. It teaches that the greatest tragedy is not dying, but forgetting how to live with an open heart.