Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.

Men hate those to whom they have to lie.

As a means of contrast with the sublime, the grotesque is, in our view, the richest source that nature can offer.

Marius was of the temperament that sinks into grief and remains there; Cosette was of the sort that plunges in and comes out again.

Love partakes of the soul itself. it is of the same nature. like it, it is a divine spark, like it, it is incorruptible, indivisible, imperishable, it is the point of fire which is within us, which is immortal and infinite, which nothing can limit and nothing can extinguish.

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

Nations, like stars, are entitled to eclipse. All is well, provided the light returns and the eclipse does not become endless night. Dawn and resurrection are synonymous. The reappearance of the light is the same as the survival of the soul.