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
Genuflection before the idol or the dollar destroys the muscles which walk and the will that moves.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote warns against the dangers of excessive reverence for money or materialism, suggesting it weakens one's resolve and capability.
Victor Hugo's quote emphasizes the idea that bowing down to the idol of wealth or material possessions can hinder personal strength and ambition. It suggests that when one prioritizes money above all else, they neglect their own capabilities and intrinsic motivations, ultimately leading to a loss of power to act and make meaningful choices in life.
Themes
MaterialismWealthIdolWillpowerStrength
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of personal values over wealth.
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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 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.
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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!
Victor HugoRead
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