It is the essence of truth that it is never excessive.... We must not resort to the flame where only light is required.

The poetic element lying hidden in most women is the source of their magnetic attraction.

Though one believes in nothing, there are moments in life when one accepts the religion of the temple nearest at hand.

A library implies an act of faith which generations, still in darkness hid, sign in their night in witness of the dawn.

A faith is a necessity to a man. Woe to him who believes in nothing.

He was at his own request and through his own complicity driven out of all his happinesses one after the other; and he had this sorrow, that after having lost Cosette wholly in one day, he was afterwards obliged to lose her again in detail.

Word which the finger of God has written on the brow of every man — hope!