A library of French literature shall be incomplete without a copy each of Les Contemplations, La Légende des siècles, Les Misérables, and Notre-Dame de Paris. That probably best reflects the influence of Victor Hugo on French literature. A leading poet, novelist, essayist and dramatist of the Romantic Movement, Victor Hugo is widely considered as the greatest and best known French writers whose indomitable approach to writing made him far more superior than his contemporaries. Though Hugo made his presence felt in all aspects of writing, his fame first came with his poetry and later from his novel and dramatic achievements. A graduate in law, Hugo was always keen on writing and soon turned his passion into his profession as he forego law an committed himself to writing. while the first decade of his writing set tone for the brand of romanticism that he developed, later on he used the platform to portray his political and social thoughts. In addition to being a poet and a novelist, Hugo was a celebrated artist. He painted more than 4000 drawings in his lifetime, earning respect as a campaigner for social causes. He was also the most quoted of French litterateurs. His quotes reflect his idealism and cover a wide variety of aspects like life, truth, education, learning, happiness, and so on. Brief yourself and get inspired by his greatness!
What Is Love? I have met in the streets a very poor young man who was in love. His hat was old, his coat worn, the water passed through his shoes and the stars through his soul
It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live.
Victor Hugo
Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.
If the soul is left in darkness, sins will be committed. The guilty one is not he who commits the sin, but the one who causes the darkness. (Monseigneur Bienvenu in _Les Miserables_)
A one-eyed man is much more incomplete than a blind man, for he knows what it is that's lacking.
Victor Hugo
Success is an ugly thing. Men are deceived by its false resemblances to merit.... They confound the brilliance of the firmament with the star-shaped footprints of a duck in the mud.
I'd like a drink. I desire to forget life. Life is a hideous invention by somebody I don't know. It doesn't last, and it's good for nothing. You break your neck simply living.
It was SHE. Whoever has loved knows all the radiant meaning contained in the three letters of this word ‘she.
Victor Hugo
Gavroche had fallen only to rise again; he sat up, a long stream of blood rolled down his face, he raised both arms in air, looked in the direction whence the shot came, and began to sing.
Victor Hugo
As with stomachs, we should pity minds that do not eat.
Victor Hugo
England has two books, the Bible and Shakespeare. England made Shakespeare,but the Bible made England.
I met in the street a very poor young man who was in love. His hat was old, his coat was threadbare - there were holes at his elbows; the water passed through his shoes and the stars through his soul.
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