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Here are some verified and thoughtful quotes from **Jacques-Yves Cousteau** (1910–1997), the pioneering French oceanographer, explorer, and filmmaker, known for bringing the underwater world to the public eye and for his environmental advocacy:
1. **”The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”**
— *Quoted in* *National Geographic*, 1978.
2. **”People protect what they love.”**
— *Quoted in various speeches and writings; a core principle of Cousteau’s environmental philosophy.*
3. **”When one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself.”**
— *From his book* *The Silent World* (1953).
4. **”The happiness of the bee and the dolphin is to exist. For man it is to know that and to wonder at it.”**
— *From* *The Human, the Orchid, and the Octopus: Exploring and Conserving Our Natural World* (published posthumously in 2007).
5. **”We must plant the sea and herd its animals using the sea as farmers instead of hunters. That is what civilization is all about — farming replacing hunting.”**
— *Speech quoted in* *Time* magazine, 1966.
6. **”It is the responsibility of each human being today to choose between the force of darkness and the force of light.”**
— *From* *Jacques Cousteau: The Sea King* by Brad Matsen.
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**Reflections on his wisdom:**
Cousteau’s words often revolve around themes of *wonder*, *responsibility*, and *connection to nature*. He championed a sense of stewardship toward the oceans, advocating not only scientific exploration but also ethical care for the natural world. His insight that *”people protect what they love”* speaks directly to the emotional bridge between knowledge and conservation—a principle that remains deeply relevant today.
If you would like, I can provide more quotes from his lesser-known writings and documentaries as well.