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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the intense, pure love that keeps one's passion in check, emphasizing respect and purity over physical desire.
In this quote, Victor Hugo illustrates a moment of transcendent love experienced by Marius, who, despite his deep feelings for Cosette, refrains from acting upon his passions. The description highlights the conflict between physical attraction and the purity of love, emphasizing that true love involves feelings of reverence and respect, which can lead to silence in the presence of ecstasy.
Themes
LovePassionRespectPurityEcstasy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be shared in a romantic context to emphasize the depth of pure love.
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.
Victor HugoRead
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
There are no weeds, and no worthless men. There are only bad farmers.
Victor HugoRead
Similar quotes
It's beauty that captures your attention. personality which captures your heart.
Oscar WildeRead
Waiting does not exist in the experience of those who recognize the presence of love wherever they are.
Alan CohenRead
For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings_x000D_ _x000D_ That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
William ShakespeareRead
Of all the icy blasts that blow on love, a request for money is the most chilling.
Gustave FlaubertRead
She had grown older. And he loved her more now than he had loved her when he understood her better, when she was the product of her parents. What she was now was what she herself had decided to become.
Michael OndaatjeRead
I was so sentimental about you I'd break any one's heart for you. My, I was a damned fool. I broke my own heart, too. It's broken and gone. Everything I believe in and everything I cared about I left for you because you were so wonderful and you loved me so much that love was all that mattered. Love was the greatest thing, wasn't it?
Ernest HemingwayRead