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
Is there not in every human soul a primitive spark, a divine element, incorruptible in this world and immortal in the next, which can be developed by goodness, kindled, lit up, and made to radiate, and which evil can never entirely extinguish.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that every individual possesses an inherent goodness that is eternal and can shine through acts of kindness, despite the presence of evil.
Victor Hugo reflects on the idea that within every person lies a core of goodness, often referred to as a 'primitive spark' or 'divine element.' This essential part of humanity is incorruptible, suggesting that while evil exists in the world, it cannot completely extinguish the light of goodness found in each soul. By choosing kindness and goodness, individuals can cultivate this spark, allowing it to illuminate the world around them.
Themes
GoodnessKindnessLightEvilSoulImmortality
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about community service, one might say, 'As Victor Hugo reminds us, there is a spark of goodness within us all that can shine brightly when nurtured with kindness.'
More from Victor Hugo
All quotes →When 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.
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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 Cosette’s 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.
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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.
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Taste is the common sense of genius.
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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
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