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
Woe, alas, to those who have loved only bodies, forms, appearances! Death will rob them of everything. Try to love souls, you will find them again.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of loving people for their inner selves rather than their physical appearances.
Victor Hugo's quote highlights the ephemeral nature of physical beauty and material form. He warns that those who limit their love to the superficial will ultimately face loneliness and loss, as death takes away the physical body. Instead, he advocates for a deeper connection that transcends appearances, suggesting that true love lies in the appreciation of one's soul, which endures beyond death.
Themes
LoveSoulsDeathInner BeautyRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of spiritual love vs. physical attraction.
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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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