To think of shadows is a serious thing.

Homer is one of the men of genius who solve that fine problem of art - the finest of all, perhaps - truly to depict humanity by the enlargement of man: that is, to generate the real in the ideal.

The drama is complete poetry. The ode and the epic contain it only in germ; it contains both of them in a state of high development, and epitomizes both.

Revolution is the larva of civilization.

An intelligent hell would be better than a stupid paradise.

If he had had all Peru in his pocket, he would certainly have given it to this dancer; but Gringoire had not Peru in his pocket; and besides, America was not yet discovered. (p. 66)

A language does not become fixed. The human intellect is always on the march, or, if you prefer, in movement, and languages with it.