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100 Uplifting Quotes By Victor Hugo, The Author Of Les Misérables

Famous As: French Writer of the Romantic Movement Best Known for His Novel 'Les Misérables' and Play 'Ruy Blas'
Born On: February 26, 1802
Died On: May 22, 1885
Born In: Besançon, Doubs, France
Died At Age: 83
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! 
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Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent

Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent

Victor Hugo
He never went out without a book under his arm, and he often came back with two.

He never went out without a book under his arm, and he often came back with two.

Victor Hugo
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

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

Victor Hugo
Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.

Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.

Victor Hugo
Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.

Victor Hugo
To put everything in balance is good, to put everything in harmony is better.

To put everything in balance is good, to put everything in harmony is better.

Victor Hugo
To love another person is to see the face of God.

To love another person is to see the face of God.

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

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.

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.

Victor Hugo
Not being heard is no reason for silence.

Not being heard is no reason for silence.

Victor Hugo
The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved -- loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.

The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved -- loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.

Victor Hugo
Laughter is sunshine, it chases winter from the human face.

Laughter is sunshine, it chases winter from the human face.

Victor Hugo
To love or have loved, that is enough. Ask nothing further. There is no other pearl to be found in the dark folds of life.

To love or have loved, that is enough. Ask nothing further. There is no other pearl to be found in the dark folds of life.

Victor Hugo
Those who do not weep, do not see.

Those who do not weep, do not see.

Victor Hugo
To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.

To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.

Victor Hugo
If I speak, I am condemned.
If I stay silent, I am damned!

If I speak, I am condemned. If I stay silent, I am damned!

Victor Hugo
Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees.

Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees.

Victor Hugo
Reason is intelligence taking exercise. Imagination is intelligence with an erection.

Reason is intelligence taking exercise. Imagination is intelligence with an erection.

Victor Hugo
People do not lack strength, they lack will.

People do not lack strength, they lack will.

Victor Hugo
You ask me what forces me to speak? a strange thing; my conscience.

You ask me what forces me to speak? a strange thing; my conscience.

Victor Hugo
You who suffer because you love, love still more. To die of love, is to live by it.

You who suffer because you love, love still more. To die of love, is to live by it.

Victor Hugo
He who opens a school door, closes a prison.

He who opens a school door, closes a prison.

Victor Hugo
Nothing makes a man so adventurous as an empty pocket.

Nothing makes a man so adventurous as an empty pocket.

Victor Hugo
Life's great happiness is to be convinced we are loved.

Life's great happiness is to be convinced we are loved.

Victor Hugo
A man is not idle because he is absorbed in thought. There is visible labor and there is invisible labor.

A man is not idle because he is absorbed in thought. There is visible labor and there is invisible labor.

Victor Hugo
No army can withstand the strength of an idea whose time has come.

No army can withstand the strength of an idea whose time has come.

Victor Hugo
There is nothing like a dream to create the future.

There is nothing like a dream to create the future.

Victor Hugo
He was fond of books, for they are cool and sure friends

He was fond of books, for they are cool and sure friends

Victor Hugo
An intelligent hell would be better than a stupid paradise.

An intelligent hell would be better than a stupid paradise.

Victor Hugo
There is something more terrible than a hell of suffering--a hell of boredom.

There is something more terrible than a hell of suffering--a hell of boredom.

Victor Hugo
The future has several names. For the weak, it is impossible; for the fainthearted, it is unknown; but for the valiant, it is ideal.

The future has several names. For the weak, it is impossible; for the fainthearted, it is unknown; but for the valiant, it is ideal.

Victor Hugo
The pupil dilates in darkness and in the end finds light, just as the soul dilates in misfortune and in the end finds God.

The pupil dilates in darkness and in the end finds light, just as the soul dilates in misfortune and in the end finds God.

Victor Hugo
...Nobody knows like a woman how to say things that are both sweet and profound. Sweetness and depth, this is all of woman; this is Heaven.

...Nobody knows like a woman how to say things that are both sweet and profound. Sweetness and depth, this is all of woman; this is Heaven.

Victor Hugo
Love is the foolishness of men, and the wisdom of God.

Love is the foolishness of men, and the wisdom of God.

Victor Hugo
To die for lack of love is horrible. The asphyxia of the soul.

To die for lack of love is horrible. The asphyxia of the soul.

Victor Hugo
I have been loving you a little more every minute since this morning.

I have been loving you a little more every minute since this morning.

Victor Hugo
Melancholy is the happiness of being sad.

Melancholy is the happiness of being sad.

Victor Hugo
Let us study things that are no more. It is necessary to understand them, if only to avoid them.

Let us study things that are no more. It is necessary to understand them, if only to avoid them.

Victor Hugo
There is always more misery among the lower classes than there is humanity in the higher.

There is always more misery among the lower classes than there is humanity in the higher.

Victor Hugo
Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart.

Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart.

Victor Hugo
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.

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.

Victor Hugo
It is not easy to keep silent when silence is a lie.

It is not easy to keep silent when silence is a lie.

Victor Hugo
What a grand thing, to be loved! What a grander thing still, to love!

What a grand thing, to be loved! What a grander thing still, to love!

Victor Hugo
What makes night within us may leave stars.

What makes night within us may leave stars.

Victor Hugo
And remember, the truth that once was spoken: To love another person is to see the face of God.

And remember, the truth that once was spoken: To love another person is to see the face of God.

Victor Hugo
The soul helps the body, and at certain moments raises it. It is the only bird that sustains its cage.

The soul helps the body, and at certain moments raises it. It is the only bird that sustains its cage.

Victor Hugo
Not seeing people permits us to imagine them with every perfection.

Not seeing people permits us to imagine them with every perfection.

Victor Hugo
There are no weeds, and no worthless men. There are only bad farmers.

There are no weeds, and no worthless men. There are only bad farmers.

Victor Hugo
If you wish to understand what Revolution is, call it Progress; and if you wish to understand what Progress is, call it Tomorrow.

If you wish to understand what Revolution is, call it Progress; and if you wish to understand what Progress is, call it Tomorrow.

Victor Hugo
Let us sacrifice one day to gain perhaps a whole life.

Let us sacrifice one day to gain perhaps a whole life.

Victor Hugo
If people did not love one another, I really don't see what use there would be in having any spring.

If people did not love one another, I really don't see what use there would be in having any spring.

Victor Hugo
Diamonds are to be found only in the darkness of the earth, and truth in the darkness of the mind.

Diamonds are to be found only in the darkness of the earth, and truth in the darkness of the mind.

Victor Hugo
...But listen, there will be more joy in heaven over the tears of a repentant sinner than over the white robes of a hundred just men.

...But listen, there will be more joy in heaven over the tears of a repentant sinner than over the white robes of a hundred just men.

Victor Hugo
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_)

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_)

Victor Hugo
What is said about men often has as much influence upon their lives, and especially upon their destinies, as what they do.

What is said about men often has as much influence upon their lives, and especially upon their destinies, as what they do.

Victor Hugo
When you get an idea into your head you find it in everything.

When you get an idea into your head you find it in everything.

Victor Hugo
Be like the bird that, passing on her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing that she hath wings.

Be like the bird that, passing on her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing that she hath wings.

Victor Hugo
Love is the only future God offers.

Love is the only future God offers.

Victor Hugo
For there are many great deeds done in the small struggles of life.

For there are many great deeds done in the small struggles of life.

Victor Hugo
He did not study God; he was dazzled by him.

He did not study God; he was dazzled by him.

Victor Hugo
The beautiful is as useful as the useful.

The beautiful is as useful as the useful." He added after a moment’s silence, "Perhaps more so.

Victor Hugo
There is one spectacle grander than the sea, that is the sky; there is one spectacle grander than the sky, that is the interior of the soul.

There is one spectacle grander than the sea, that is the sky; there is one spectacle grander than the sky, that is the interior of the soul.

Victor Hugo
Every bird that flies has the thread of the infinite in its claw.

Every bird that flies has the thread of the infinite in its claw.

Victor Hugo
The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves—say rather, loved in spite of ourselves.

The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves—say rather, loved in spite of ourselves.

Victor Hugo
Common sense is in spite of, not the result of, education.

Common sense is in spite of, not the result of, education.

Victor Hugo
Fashions have done more harm than revolutions.

Fashions have done more harm than revolutions.

Victor Hugo
Faith is necessary to men; woe to him who believes in nothing!

Faith is necessary to men; woe to him who believes in nothing!

Victor Hugo
Nothing is more imminent than the impossible . . . what we must always foresee is the unforeseen.

Nothing is more imminent than the impossible . . . what we must always foresee is the unforeseen.

Victor Hugo
He loved books; books are cold but safe friends.

He loved books; books are cold but safe friends.

Victor Hugo
Being good is easy, what is difficult is being just.

Being good is easy, what is difficult is being just.

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

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

Victor Hugo
Each man should frame life so that at some future hour fact and his dreaming meet.

Each man should frame life so that at some future hour fact and his dreaming meet.

Victor Hugo
God knows better than we do what we need.

God knows better than we do what we need.

Victor Hugo
The realities of life do not allow themselves to be forgotten.

The realities of life do not allow themselves to be forgotten.

Victor Hugo
Mothers arms are made of tenderness, And sweet sleep blesses the child who lies therein.

Mothers arms are made of tenderness, And sweet sleep blesses the child who lies therein.

Victor Hugo
To die is nothing; but it is terrible not to live.

To die is nothing; but it is terrible not to live.

Victor Hugo
Nobody loves the light like the blind man.

Nobody loves the light like the blind man.

Victor Hugo
What happened between those two beings? Nothing. They were adoring one another.

What happened between those two beings? Nothing. They were adoring one another.

Victor Hugo
Life is a theatre set in which there are but few practicable entrances.

Life is a theatre set in which there are but few practicable entrances.

Victor Hugo
A man without a woman is like a pistol without a trigger; it is the woman who makes the man go off.

A man without a woman is like a pistol without a trigger; it is the woman who makes the man go off.

Victor Hugo
...mothers are often fondest of the child which has caused them the greatest pain.

...mothers are often fondest of the child which has caused them the greatest pain.

Victor Hugo
It is from books that wise people derive consolation in the troubles of life.

It is from books that wise people derive consolation in the troubles of life.

Victor Hugo
Curiosity is gluttony. To see is to devour.

Curiosity is gluttony. To see is to devour.

Victor Hugo
This first glance of a soul which does not yet know itself is like dawn in the heavens; it is the awakening of something radiant and unknown.

This first glance of a soul which does not yet know itself is like dawn in the heavens; it is the awakening of something radiant and unknown.

Victor Hugo
A one-eyed man is much more incomplete than a blind man, for he knows what it is that's lacking.

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.

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.

Victor Hugo
Life is the flower for which love is the honey.

Life is the flower for which love is the honey.

Victor Hugo
Sleep comes more easily than it returns.

Sleep comes more easily than it returns.

Victor Hugo
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.

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.

Victor Hugo
It was SHE. Whoever has loved knows all the radiant meaning contained in the three letters of this word ‘she.

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.

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
England has two books, the Bible and Shakespeare. England made Shakespeare,but the Bible made England.

England has two books, the Bible and Shakespeare. England made Shakespeare,but the Bible made England.

Victor Hugo
As with stomachs, we should pity minds that do not eat.

As with stomachs, we should pity minds that do not eat.

Victor Hugo
Morality is truth in full bloom.

Morality is truth in full bloom.

Victor Hugo
Be happy without picking flaws.

Be happy without picking flaws.

Victor Hugo
The quantity of civilization is measured by the quality of imagination.

The quantity of civilization is measured by the quality of imagination.

Victor Hugo
I was dying when you came.

I was dying when you came.

Victor Hugo
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.

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.

Victor Hugo
The paradise of the rich is made out of the hell of the poor.

The paradise of the rich is made out of the hell of the poor.

Victor Hugo