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

To be a saint is the exception; to be a just person is the rule. Err, stumble, commit sin, but be one of the just.

Civilization survives on the constant discovery of amity and an equal supply of damnation.

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

The last resort of kings, the cannonball. The last resort of the people, the paving stone.

There is no vacuum in the human heart. Certain demolitions take place, and it is well that they do, but on condition that they are followed by reconstructions.

Ecclesiastes names thee Almighty, the Maccabees name thee Creator, the Epistle to the Ephesians names thee Liberty, Baruch names thee Immensity, the Psalms name thee Wisdom and Truth, John names thee Light, the Book of Kings names thee Lord, Exodus names thee Providence, Leviticus Sanctity, Esdras Justice, creation names thee God, man names thee Father; but Solomon names thee Compassion, which is the most beautiful of all thy names.