Victor Hugo Quotes
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This book should be read as one would read the book of a dead man.
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It has become necessary to call the attention of European governments to a fact which is apparently so insignificant that the governments seem not to notice it. The fact is this: an entire people is being annihilated. Where? In Europe. Are there witnesses? One witness, the entire world. Do the governments see it? No.
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Success is a very hideous thing. Its false resemblance to merit deceives men.
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The truth of an upright man must be accepted on his own terms. Moreover, since natures vary, we must agree that all the beauties of human excellence may be fostered by faiths that we do not share.
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It is sad to tell, but after having tried society, which had caused his misfortune, he tried Providence which created society, and condemned it also.
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Press on! A better fate awaits thee.
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A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in--what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars.
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The hand which moves over the dial moves also among souls.
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No religion but blasphemes a little.
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Love is the only future God offers.
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We say and exclaim within ourselves without breaking silence, in a tumult where everything speaks except our mouths. The realities of the soul are none the less real for being invisible and impalpable.
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I advance in life, I grow more simple, and I become more and more patriotic for humanity.
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Philosophy is the microscope of thought. Everything desires to flee from it, but nothing escapes it.
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By making himself a priest made himself a demon.
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History has its truth, and so has legend. Legendary truth is of another nature than historical truth. Legendary truth is invention whose result is reality. Furthermore, history and legend have the same goal; to depict eternal man beneath momentary man.
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We are on the side of religion as opposed to religions, and we are among those who believe in the wretched inadequacy of sermons and the sublimity of prayer.
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Love resembles a tree: it bends under its own weight, deeply rooted in our being and sometimes turns green in the ruins of a heart.
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These two beings, who had loved each other so exclusively, and with so touching a love, and who had lived so long for each other, were now suffering beside one another and through one another; without speaking of it, without harsh feeling, and smiling all the while.
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Inspiration and genius -one and the same.
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Love is a fault; so be it.
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People weighed down with troubles do not look back; they know only too well that misfortune stalks them.
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Night and the day, when united, Bring forth the beautiful light.
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The soul does not give itself up to despair until it has exhausted all illusions.
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Take all reasonable advantage of that which the present may offer you. It is the only time which is ours. Yesterday is buried forever, and to-morrow we may never see.