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
Good actions are the invisible hinges on the doors of heaven.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Good actions may not be immediately visible, but they play a crucial role in achieving a greater good.
Victor Hugo suggests that virtuous deeds, although often unnoticed, are fundamental to opening pathways to a better existence or an ideal state, symbolized by 'the doors of heaven.' The quote emphasizes the importance of selfless actions in contributing to the greater good and transforming lives, reinforcing the idea that goodness is pivotal in our spiritual and moral lives.
Themes
Good ActionsVirtueHeavenDeedsPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about community service, I might say: 'As Victor Hugo once put it, good actions are the invisible hinges on the doors of heaven, reminding us of the profound impact our small deeds can have.'
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.
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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 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.
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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.
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
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