The convent is supreme egotism resulting in supreme self-denial.

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

Nothing awakens reminiscence like an aroma.

Are you afraid of the good you might do?

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!

Despotism is a long crime.

One only needs to see a smile in a white crape bonnet in order to enter the palace of dreams.