It seemed to be a necessary ritual that he should prepare himself for sleep by meditating under the solemnity of the night sky... a mysterious transaction between the infinity of the soul and the infinity of the universe.
Victor HugoRead
When we are at the end of life, to die means to go away; when we are at the beginning, to go away means to die.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the perceptions of life and death at different stages of existence.
Victor Hugo highlights the contrasting views of death and life transitions based on one's perspective in life. At the end of life, death is viewed as a departure, while in the early stages of life, the idea of departure is equated with death, suggesting a deep philosophical contemplation on mortality and the significance of beginnings and endings.
Themes
LifeDeathPerceptionTransitionPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a reflective speech at a memorial service, one might use this quote to illustrate the journey of life.
More from Victor Hugo
All quotes βWhen two mouths, made sacred by love, draw near to each other to create, it is impossible, that above that ineffable kiss there should not be a thrill in the immense mystery of the stars.
Victor HugoRead
At that moment of love, a moment when passion is absolutely silent under omnipotence of ecstasy, Marius, pure seraphic Marius, would have been more capable of visiting a woman of the streets than of raising Cosetteβs dress above the ankle. Once on a moonlit night, Cosette stopped to pick up something from the ground, her dress loosened and revealed the swelling of her breasts. Marius averted his eyes.
Victor HugoRead
Thought is the work of the intellect, reverie is its self-indulgence. To substitute day-dreaming for thought is to confuse a poison with a source of nourishment.
Victor HugoRead
Taste is the common sense of genius.
Victor HugoRead
Forget not, never forget that you have promised me to use this silver to become an honest man.... Jean Valjean, my brother: you belong no longer to evil, but to good. It is your soul that I am buying for you. I withdraw it from dark thoughts and from the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God!
Victor HugoRead
Similar quotes
In matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no place.
Mahatma GandhiRead
Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.
H. G. WellsRead
Religion is the organization of spirituality into something that became the hand maiden of conquerors. Nearly all religions were brought to people and imposed on people by conquerors, and used as the framework to control their minds.
John Henrik ClarkeRead
Though, when a people shall have become incapable of governing themselves and fit for a master, it is of little consequence from what quarter he comes.
George WashingtonRead
We came whirling out of nothingness, scattering stars like dust... _x000D_ The stars made a circle, and in the middle, we dance.
RumiRead
In spite of the fact that the law of revenge solves no social problems, men continue to follow its disastrous leading. History is cluttered with the wreckage of nations and individuals that pursued this self-defeating path.
Martin Luther King, Jr.Read