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
What is the cat?" he exclaimed. "It is a corrective. God, having made the mouse, said, 'I've made a blunder.' And he made the cat. The cat is the erratum of the mouse. The mouse, plus the cat, Is the revised and corrected proof of creation.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the relationship between opposites in creation.
Victor Hugo suggests that the existence of the cat is a response to the creation of the mouse, showcasing a deeper philosophical perspective on how creatures and their purposes can be viewed as corrections or balances in nature. The quote implies that each being has its counterpart, and together they form a complete understanding of creation's intentions.
Themes
CreationBalanceOppositesPhilosophyNature
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the balance of nature during a biology class.
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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!
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