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
He reached for his pocket, and found there, only reality
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that one can only rely on the tangible aspects of life, rather than illusions or dreams.
Victor Hugo's quote highlights the significance of confronting the truth of one's circumstances. It underscores the idea that while aspirations and dreams can motivate us, ultimately, we must face and accept the reality that is present in our lives, which often shapes our decisions and actions.
Themes
RealityTruthAcceptancePhilosophyLife
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about the importance of facing life's challenges.
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.
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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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Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established
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