Jacques Cousteau quotes

“A lot of people attack the sea, I make love to it.”

“All life is part of a complex relationship in which each is dependent upon the others, taking from, giving to and living with all the rest.”

“For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.”

“If we go on the way we have, the fault is our greed and if we are not willing to change, we will disappear from the face of the globe, to be replaced by the insect.”

“It takes generosity to discover the whole through others. If you realize you are only a violin, you can open yourself up to the world by playing your role in the concert.”

“Mankind has probably done more damage to the Earth in the 20th century than in all of previous human history.”

“Since the beginning each generation has fought nature. Now, in the life-span of a single generation, we must turn around 180 degrees and become the protector of nature.”

“The impossible missions are the only ones which succeed.”

“Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends, have become global garbage cans.”

“We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one.”

“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.”

“When one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself.”