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
I would have liked to be - indeed, I should have been - a second Rembrandt.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Victor Hugo expresses a desire for artistic greatness, comparing himself to the legendary painter Rembrandt.
In this quote, Victor Hugo reflects on his aspirations as an artist and expresses a longing to achieve the same level of mastery and impact in his work as the famous painter Rembrandt. This statement highlights the pursuit of excellence in the arts and the admiration for those who have reached the pinnacle of creative expression.
Themes
ArtGreatnessAspirationRembrandtMastery
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could inspire young artists during an art exhibition.
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.
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
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