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
Do not let it be your aim to be something, but to be someone.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Focus on being a genuine person rather than striving for titles or status.
This quote suggests that the essence of human existence is not found in external accomplishments or labels but in the authenticity of one's character and the connections we build with others. By emphasizing the importance of 'being someone,' Hugo encourages individuals to cultivate their inner selves and to define their worth through their actions, values, and relationships rather than through societal expectations or superficial goals.
Themes
AuthenticitySelfIdentityCharacterValues
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal growth, you might use this quote to inspire your audience to focus on their personal development.
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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Grace is what matters. In anything. Especially life, especially growth, tragedy, pain, love, death. About people, that's what matters. That's a quality I admire very greatly. It keeps you from reaching for the gun too quickly; it keeps you from destroying things too foolishly; it sort of keeps you alive and keeps you open for more understanding.
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It's in vain to recall the past, unless it works some influence upon the present.
Charles DickensRead