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
Youth is the future smiling at a stranger, which is itself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the idea that youth embodies hope and potential for the future, often represented through simple gestures like smiling.
Victor Hugo's quote suggests that youth carries the essence of the future, symbolized by the act of smiling at a stranger. This smile represents the connection, warmth, and optimism inherent in youth, emphasizing that every young person is a reflection of the future they will help shape. Smiling at others embodies the goodwill and possibilities that youth brings to the world.
Themes
YouthFutureSmileOptimismConnection
In practice
Example use cases
This quote is perfect for a graduation speech to inspire graduates about their potential.
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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