Quotes from Victor Hugo

Jesus wept; Voltaire smiled. From that divine tear and from that human smile is derived the grace of present civilization.

One of the hardest tasks is to extract continually from one's soul an almost inexhaustible ill will.

And do you know Monsieur Marius? I believe I was a little in love with you.

[T]he small is great, the great is small; all is in equilibrium in necessity.

What's our baggage? Only vows, Happiness, and all our care, And the flower that sweetly shows Nestling lightly in your hair.

There are thoughts which are prayers. There are moments when, whatever the posture of the body, the soul is on its knees.

Death has its revelations: the great sorrows which open the heart open the mind as well; light comes to us with our grief. As for me, I have faith; I believe in a future life. How could I do otherwise? My daughter was a soul; I saw this soul. I touched it, so to speak.

Freedom in art, freedom in society, this is the double goal towards which all consistent and logical minds must strive.

God put in man thought; society, action; nature, revery.

Religion, Society, and Nature--these are the three struggles of man.

It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live.

The omnipotence of evil has never resulted in anything but fruitless efforts. Our thoughts always escape from whoever tries to smother them.