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
A compliment is something like a kiss through a veil.
Interpretation
A compliment can be a subtle and indirect expression of affection or appreciation.
In this quote, Victor Hugo suggests that a compliment, much like a kiss through a veil, carries a deeper significance that may not be immediately visible. It highlights the idea that genuine appreciation often has layers and may not always be expressed openly, yet still conveys warmth and connection between people.
In practice
In a professional setting, you could use this quote to emphasize the importance of giving compliments to boost team morale.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Taste is the common sense of genius.
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!
I give the fight up: let there be an end, a privacy, an obscure nook for me. I want to be forgotten even by God.
Sweet is the memory of past troubles.
When the well is dry, people know the worth of water. [so appreciate what you have while you have it]
Direct your attention inward. Have a look inside yourself. What kind of thoughts is your mind producing? What do you feel? Direct your attention into the body. Is there any tension? Once you detect that there is a low level of unease, the background static, see in what way you are avoiding, resisting, or denying life-by denying the Now.
We think our fathers fools, so wise we grow. Our wiser sons, no doubt will think us so.
In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.
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