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
On this point, the priest and the philosopher agree: We must die.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the universal truth that death is an inevitable part of life, agreed upon by both religious and philosophical perspectives.
Victor Hugo's quote emphasizes a shared understanding between the priest, representing a religious viewpoint, and the philosopher, embodying a rational perspective, that death is an inescapable reality of human existence. It suggests that regardless of one's beliefs or worldview, the acceptance of mortality is a fundamental aspect of life that connects us all. This acknowledgment of death encourages deeper contemplation about the meaning of life and the values we hold as we navigate our existence.
Themes
DeathLifePhilosophyMortalityExistence
In practice
Example use cases
In a reflective essay on the meaning of life, this quote could serve as a pivotal statement.
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!
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Similar quotes
If we affirm one moment, we thus affirm not only ourselves but all existence. For nothing is self-sufficient, neither in us ourselves nor in things; and if our soul has trembled with happiness and sounded like a harp string just once, all eternity was needed to produce this one event - and in this single moment of affirmation all eternity was called good, redeemed, justified, and affirmed.
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It would be curious to discover who it is to whom one writes in a diary. Possibly to some mysterious personification of one's own identity.
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What are the stars but points in the body of God where we insert the healing needles of our terror and longing?
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What give all that is tragic, whatever its form, the characteristic of the sublime, is the first inkling of the knowledge that the world and life can give no satisfaction, and are not worth our investment in them. The tragic spirit consists in this. Accordingly it leads to resignation.
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The genius of a composer is found in the notes of his music; but analyzing the notes will not reveal his genius. The poet's greatness is contained in his words; yet the study of his words will not disclose his inspiration. God reveals himself in creation; but scrutinize creation as minutely as you wish, you will not find God, any more than you will find the soul through careful examination of your body.
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Even faith in God is only a stage on the way. Ultimately you abandon all, for you come to something so simple that there are no words to express it.
Sri Nisargadatta MaharajRead