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Great griefs exhaust. They discourage us with life. The man into whom they enter feels something taken from him. In youth, their visit is sad; later on, it is ominous.
Victor Hugo
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Great grief can drain us of our vitality and hope, especially as we age.

In this quote, Victor Hugo reflects on the profound impact of grief on the human experience. He suggests that while grief is particularly heartbreaking in youth, its significance can deepen as one grows older, potentially leading to a sense of loss and foreboding in later years. This evokes the idea that the weight of our sorrows can shape our perspective on life, influencing our emotional resilience.

Themes

GriefLossLifeYouthExperience

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be shared during a speech at a memorial service to reflect on the enduring effects of grief.

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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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