"The insufferable arrogance of human beings to think that Nature was made solely for their benefit, as if it was conceivable that the sun had been set afire merely to ripen men's apples and head their cabbages"

Cyrano de Bergerac's statement criticizes a common anthropocentric belief: the assumption that the natural world exists for human exploitation and comfort. The phrase “insufferable arrogance” underscores the speaker’s disdain for this human-centered worldview, implying not only pride but a blind disregard for the broader tapestry of existence. Humans, in their hubris, often perceive themselves as the main characters of Earth’s narrative, interpreting the sun, the soil, and all living things as props designed for their sustenance and advancement.

Cyrano’s imagery, “as if it was conceivable that the sun had been set afire merely to ripen men's apples and head their cabbages,” employs hyperbole to highlight the absurdity of such thinking. The sun, a star of immense magnitude and significance, is not merely an agricultural tool catering to individual dietary needs. By focusing on everyday items, apples and cabbages, Cyrano points to the ordinary egotism embedded in daily life. The routine act of harvesting food is unremarkable, yet he exposes the underlying assumption that such acts are the sun’s very purpose, reducing a cosmic phenomenon to a household convenience.

Beneath the sarcasm lies a challenge to reevaluate humanity’s place in the universe. Nature, vast and intricate, predates humanity and functions according to its own laws and cycles. By framing human-centric views as arrogant, Cyrano urges a recognition of humility and a broader perspective: humanity is but a single strand in the immense web of life, not the axis around which all creation revolves.

Furthermore, the quote serves as an early critique of environmental disregard. When people believe nature exists for them alone, exploitation and neglect follow. By mocking that attitude, Cyrano implicitly advocates for respect and stewardship, instead of dominion. Ultimately, the passage is a call to recognize the value and agency of nature beyond human benefit, encouraging wonder and responsibility rather than entitlement.