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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 Hugo
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects on the deep connection between one's inner self and the vastness of the universe during moments of contemplation.

Victor Hugo illustrates the profound experience of meditation under the night sky, suggesting that this practice is a sacred ritual where an individual engages in a dialogue with the universe. It conveys the idea that the act of reflecting at night allows for a deeper understanding of both the cosmos and one's own soul, highlighting the interconnection between internal and external realities.

Themes

MeditationNight SkySoulUniverseReflection

In practice

Example use cases

During a mindfulness retreat, participants can refer to this quote while discussing their experiences under the stars.

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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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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!
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There are no weeds, and no worthless men. There are only bad farmers.
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