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
If I have not been exposed and am not in any danger of pursuit. But I have been exposed, I am pursued - by myself! That is a pursuer that does not readily let go.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the internal struggles of self-awareness and guilt. It emphasizes the torment that one experiences when they are aware of their faults or failures.
Victor Hugo's quote speaks to the complex nature of self-consciousness and moral introspection. It illustrates how, even in the absence of external judgment, one can become their own greatest critic and pursuer, haunted by their own actions and conscience. This internal pursuit suggests that the weight of our own consciousness can be more burdensome than any outside threat, emphasizing the necessity of self-acceptance and reconciliation with one's past.
Themes
Self-AwarenessGuiltInner TurmoilIntrospectionConscience
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about personal growth during a workshop, one might say, 'As Victor Hugo noted, we are often pursued by ourselves, which makes self-reflection so important.'
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.
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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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