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
It is from books that wise people derive consolation in the troubles of life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Books provide comfort and insight to wise individuals during difficult times.
In this quote, Victor Hugo emphasizes the profound role that literature plays in the lives of wise people, suggesting that books serve as a refuge and a source of guidance during life's adversities. Through reading, individuals can find solace, wisdom, and understanding, drawing upon the experiences and thoughts of others to navigate their own challenges.
Themes
BooksWisdomConsolationTroublesLife
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about resilience, one might quote this to inspire others to seek comfort in literature.
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.
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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The people with very hard problems are understood by God. He knows what wretched machines they are trying to drive. Some day he will fling them away and give those people new ones; then they may astonish everyone, for they learned their driving in a hard school. Some of the last will be first and some of the first will be last.
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Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as think.
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Even so, one step from my grave,_x000D_ _x000D_ I believe that cruelty, spite,_x000D_ _x000D_ The powers of darkness will in time_x000D_ _x000D_ Be crushed by the spirit of light.
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Emotions are classes in the Earth school. Some classes are about fear, and some are about love. The Universe is your tutor, and your classroom is your life. The main course in the Earth school, Authentic Power, is the same for everyone, but different students need different courses in order to complete it.
Gary ZukavRead