"A tomb is a monument placed on the limits of two worlds."
Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre
Writer
Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre was a French writer and naturalist, notable for his novel 'Paul and Virginia,' which explores themes of nature and human emotion.
- Born
- January 1, 1737
- Died
- January 1, 1811
- Quotes
- 13
- Rank
- #5833
About Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre
Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre — Life and Legacy
Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre was an influential French writer and naturalist, best known for his novel 'Paul and Virginia,' which highlights the beauty of nature and its impact on human relationships. His work reflects a deep appreciation for the natural world, often portraying it as a source of moral and emotional guidance. Bernardin de Saint-Pierre's philosophy emphasizes the interconnectedness of humanity and nature, as seen in his assertion that 'The beauty of nature is a gift to humanity.' This perspective challenges the industrialization of his time, advocating for a return to simpler, more harmonious living. His writings delve into the psychological depth of human emotions, exploring how nature influences love and innocence. By depicting the idyllic life in the tropics, he critiques societal constraints and celebrates the purity of human experience in its natural state. Bernardin de Saint-Pierre's insights into the human condition and the environment resonate today, reminding us of the importance of preserving our natural surroundings and nurturing our emotional connections. His legacy continues to inspire those who seek to understand the profound relationship between humanity and the natural world.
Quote collection
Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre quotes
13 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Apre' s le rare bonheur de trouver une compagne qui nous soit bien assortie, l'e tat le moins malheureux de la vie est sans doute de vivre seul. After the rare happiness of finding a companion with whom we are well matched, the least unpleasant state of life is without doubt to live alone."
"The Christian religion alone contemplates the conjugal union in the order of nature; it is the only religion which presents woman to man as a companion; every other abandons her to him as a slave. To religion alone do European women owe their liberty."
"La solitude re tablit aussi bien les harmonies du corps que celles de l'a" me. Solitude restores the harmonies of the body no less than those of the soul."
"If life is a punishment, one should wish for an end; if life is a test, one should wish it to be short."
"Death, my son, is a good thing for all men; it is the night for this worried day that we call life. It is in the sleep of death that finds rest for eternity the sickness, pain, desperation, and the fears that agitate, without end, we unhappy living souls."
"Patience is the courage of virtue."
"Literature is the daughter of heaven, who descended upon earth to soften and charm all human ills."
"There are few writers of note, of any country or of any age, from whom quotations might not be made in proof of the love with which they regarded Nature."
"An effort made with ourselves for the good of others, with the intention of pleasing God alone."
"Every trait of beauty may be traced to some virtue, as to innocence, candor, generosity, modesty, and heroism."
"Our ancestors have travelled the iron age; the golden is before us."
"La mort, mon fils, est un bien pour tous les hommes; elle est la nuit de ce jour inquiet qu'on appelle la vie. Bernstein Death, my son, is a good for all; it is the night of this worrisome day that one calls life."