Jacques Cousteau was one of the most famous marine explorers and researchers of the 20th century His scientific knowledge was acquired from the French Naval Academy; Serving as a soldier in World War II, he ventured to discover the treasures of the seabed around the planet.
Furthermore, Cousteau is the inventor, together with the engineer Émile Gagnan, of the modern diving suit that still exists today as the only diving system for athletes and scientists. On the other hand, he was the first underwater filmmaker, making the first underwater films to bring his passion to all domestic homes.
Jacques Cousteau’s quotes
Below you can find a selection of 60 phrases by Jacques Cousteau to understand the thinking of this French scientist.
1. For the dolphin and the whale, happiness is existing. Man must discover this and marvel at it
Jacques Cousteau thus described the simplicity of the animal species, and pointed out that man should appreciate Mother Nature more.
2. We urgently need to use science to civilize civilization
The Captain was very critical of human behavior with natural spaces. It must be taken into account that he was a great environmentalist.
3. I have always explained to journalists that we had no objective, no idea of ​​what we were going to find on a mission.
This is how Jacques explains his adventurous feeling He was a born discoverer.
4. The reason I have made films about the underwater world is simply my belief that people protect what they love.
This was how he stated the way in which he wanted to make the world aware of how important the environment is for living beings.
5. I make love to the sea, others attack it
In this romantic way Cousteau described his passion for the oceans
6. If I’m not going to find out, someone else will do it for me
Jacques was a man of great drive and ambition. He always wanted to be the first in his specialty.
7. Closing our eyes to nature only makes us blind in a fool’s paradise
Another metaphor that denounced the little attention that the natural environment received from people.
8. During the s. More damage has been done to the Earth than in the entire previous history of humanity.
Having lived through two world wars, Jacques warned the international community of human perversity.
9. The scientist ventures into the cell, the atom or the cosmos without knowing what awaits him
Another way to describe the basic characteristic of every scientist.
10. People only love what we know, that’s how naive we are
This phrase by Jacques Cousteau very well defined human ignorance of the sea.
11. If I had known what I was going to find, I wouldn’t have gone
A mix between excitement and fear is what the French scientist often encountered due to what he discovered. He was often shocked.
12. Man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He just has to go down to the bottom of the sea to feel free
This is how he wanted to describe the sensation when diving into deep waters.
13. The true enemy of nature is the animal hunter
Jacques He was an anti-hunting activist She hated any activity related to killing animals.
14. We have to understand that our mission is to protect Mother Nature
He did not cease his drive to defend the importance that nature has in our lives.
15. If we continue dumping garbage into the sea, we will become garbage
With this phrase the explorer denounced the bad practices of human beings towards the sea.
16. We must love the Earth, only when we love something do we protect it
Jacques was in love with Nature, and only by love did he understand its future protection.
17. Air and water, the elements that give life, are now global garbage dumps
Another example of a complaint for contaminating both vital resources for survival.
18. Although we want to divide countries, whatever the reasons, the clear thing is that we are more interdependent every day
Jacques Cousteau was against the idea of ​​borders, the division of cultures and the conflict of interests.
19. When a man has the opportunity to lead change, he doesn’t have to keep anything for himself.
He also did not like the selfishness that reigned in Western societies.
20. If we were only logical beings, the world would be desolate. But we are human beings, we have faith and hope, and that allows us to work together
Cooperation, understanding and personal relationships. This is how Jacques understood the human being, beyond the rational.
21. Farming the way we do is hunting. In the sea we commit barbarities
From its beginnings it warned of the terrible aquaculture and farming methods that were used.
22. Planting should replace hunting. This is human logic
Create instead of destroy to survive.
23. A dolphin in an aquarium, no matter how big it is, should not seem normal to us.
Cousteau was also against the use of animals for human leisure and entertainment.
24. I am not a scientist, I am a businessman of scientists
Curiously, Cousteau did not consider himself a scientist. But he knew how to create his own brand and have commercial success.
25. Abortion was confused with overpopulation. One thing has nothing to do with the other
Cousteau was often said to be pro-abortion. The son of his time, in this way he wanted to distance himself from this practice.
26. If we continue the current path of greed, we will not live to tell the tale. We will be replaced by insects
Once again he thus warned of the long-term danger that the destiny of humanity was suffering.
27. As soon as man discovers his intelligence, he acts to involve it in stupidity
Jacques Cousteau He was very critical of human behavior He said that intellect was used to commit atrocities.
28. Man is the only animal that refers to itself as delicate
He thus described the selfishness of man without taking into account what surrounds him.
29. What is a scientist? He is the one who looks in a hole to discover what is there
Curiosity is the engine of science.
30. Concern for the environment came in different ways in all countries
After several conflicts of unforeseeable catastrophes, people began to become aware of ecological care.
31. The sea is the universal sewer
Already in the 20th century the blue planet He suffered from the garbage that accumulated in him
32. The sea is the great unifier for man. We are all in the same boat
Never better said, this phrase can be taken almost literally.
33. We forget that the cycle of life and the cycle of water are one
This phrase perfectly described the reason for our existence as something related to the importance of water
34. Our future guides us to crash against the wall. Survival is limited to 100 years.
This is how forceful the Captain was to make the world aware of the bad path that society took with regard to the conservation of nature.
35. Life is a transit; the world a showroom; The man enters, looks and leaves.
Jacques spoke very often about death, and how we can interpret life.
36. In order to stabilize the world population, 350,000 people per day should be eliminated
With this controversial phrase, Jacques Cousteau explained one of the great problems that the Earth had to endure.
37. Man’s only true hope is the sea
Taking care of the sea is taking care of the future and survival of the human species.
38. Under water, the human being becomes an archangel
With this lyricism the explorer describes the sensation of being underwater.
39. Impossible missions are only those that are carried out successfully
Cousteau never gave up on any expedition as lost. He always looked for the incredible.
40. The best way to watch a fish is to be one.
Direct contact with marine species was the best way to understand life at sea
41. Every morning I wake up and tell myself: I am alive, what a miracle!
Jacques was a man who lived day to day and was grateful for continuing with his projects.
42. The current situation we find ourselves in makes me nauseous.
His environmental complaints never ceased. He insisted on that topic every time he was interviewed.
43. If the oceans of our Earth died, it would be the terrible end of humanity and animals
With this phrase Jacques reaffirmed the dependence of human beings on water.
44. The sea hooks you like a net for all eternity
Once again he dramatically describes the relationship he had with the sea.
45. The only ambition of my films is to show the truth of nature
He always pursued an emotional goal, not a material one. Her movies broadcast pure passion for the wild
46. ​​I am not an environmentalist for animals, I am an environmentalist for people
It was often said that he loved animals more than people. So she denied it.
47. There is a book always open for all eyes: nature
In this way he described how gratifying it was live the environment intensely
48. Only nature does great things without expecting anything in return
This is how Cousteau described the good work of nature.
49. Savage is not the one who lives in nature, it is the one who destroys it
With this phrase he wanted to redefine the concept of barbarism.
50. May your search for nature lead you to yourself
Going into the unexplored can serve to reveal who we are.
51. Nature never says one thing and wisdom another
Nature is the source of all knowledge and wisdom.
52. We must prepare the Earth to accommodate 10,000 million inhabitants, otherwise this is over
Overpopulation was a problem that was already known in Cousteau’s time.
53. We live in a kind of murderous madness of our time
Recent years have brought about great changes for better and worse.
54. Water and money, both liquids that must be used with caution
There are certain elements that escape our control very easily.
55. Some worry about what they will eat tomorrow. I worry about eating today, tomorrow we’ll see
One of Jacques Cousteau’s phrases with a touch of humor.
56. I don’t go down to watch the fish. I dive in and talk to them
Experiencing the sea means letting it leave a mark on us in the same way we leave a mark on it.
57. In the sea there is no past, present or future, only peace
The vastness of this body of water makes it seem timeless.
58. I only try to make people understand the sea, not love it.
It is not necessary to dedicate a life to the sea; It is enough to respect it.
59. Let’s try not to draw on the sea what has been drawn on dry land
The sea is a relatively unexplored territory that still has a chance to stay pure.
60. They say that fish have a short memory. They should watch the man
If we compare ourselves with other forms of life that we consider simpler, we may be in for a surprise.