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
The beautiful is as useful as the useful." He added after a moment’s silence, "Perhaps more so.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Beauty and utility are equally important in life, with beauty possibly holding greater significance.
Victor Hugo's quote suggests that beauty and usefulness are intertwined aspects of existence. He argues that while utility serves practical purposes, beauty enriches our lives on a deeper level, potentially making it more valuable. The emphasis on beauty as not merely decorative but as essential portrays a holistic view of life where aesthetic experiences contribute to human fulfillment and understanding.
Themes
BeautyUtilityArtLifeValue
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on aesthetics in art, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of beauty in artistic expression.
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.
Victor HugoRead
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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