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 human soul has still greater need of the ideal than of the real. It is by the real that we exist; it is by the ideal that we live.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Humans thrive on ideals and aspirations, which give life deeper meaning beyond mere existence.
Victor Hugo's quote emphasizes the importance of ideals in human life, suggesting that while we rely on reality for our physical survival, it is our ideals and dreams that infuse our existence with purpose and vitality. This reflects the belief that aspirations drive human progress and fulfillment, urging individuals to seek higher goals beyond the tangible aspects of life.
Themes
IdealRealHuman SpiritAspirationExistence
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about pursuing dreams.
More from Victor Hugo
All quotes βWhen 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 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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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.
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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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