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
There is one spectacle grander than the sea, that is the sky; there is one spectacle grander than the sky, that is the interior of the soul.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that while the sea and sky are magnificent, the true grandeur lies within one's own soul.
Victor Hugo's quote reflects on the profound beauty and depth of the human spirit, suggesting that while nature offers incredible sights like the sea and sky, the essence and interiority of an individual's soul surpass these external wonders. It reminds us to look inward and appreciate the richness of our inner lives, highlighting the importance of self-reflection and the discovery of our true selves.
Themes
SoulBeautyNatureSelf-ReflectionInner Self
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about personal growth, you could say, 'As Victor Hugo reflected, the interior of the soul is the grandest spectacle of all.'
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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