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 future has many names: For the weak, it means the unattainable. For the fearful, it means the unknown. For the courageous, it means opportunity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The future is perceived differently depending on one's mindset; it can be seen as something daunting or as a chance for growth.
Victor Hugo's quote highlights the varying perspectives individuals possess regarding the future. For those lacking confidence, the future embodies unattainable dreams, while those riddled with fear view it as a realm of uncertainty. Conversely, for courageous individuals, the future is a canvas of opportunities waiting to be embraced and explored. This dichotomy emphasizes how our mindset shapes our experiences and the unfolding of our lives.
Themes
FutureOpportunityCourageFearPerspective
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about facing fears and seizing opportunities.
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.
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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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