100 Top & Most Popular Victor Hugo Quotes

1. “To love beauty is to see light.”
2. “The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.”
3. “There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come.”
4. “Change your opinions, keep to your principles; change your leaves, keep intact your roots.”
5. “To err is human, to forgive divine.”
6. “Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”
7. “A man is not idle because he is absorbed in thought. There is a visible labor and there is an invisible labor.”
8. “Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”
9. “To die for a principle is to choose an ideal.”
10. “The first symptom of love in a young man is timidity; in a girl boldness.”
11. “The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved.”
12. “Toleration is the best religion.”
13. “Not being heard is no reason for silence.”
14. “Science says the first word on everything, and the last word on nothing.”
15. “The future has several names. For the weak, it is impossible; for the fainthearted, it is unknown; but for the valiant, it is ideal.”
16. “There is one spectacle grander than the sea, that is the sky; there is one spectacle grander than the sky, that is the interior of the soul.”
17. “A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in–what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars.”
18. “Life is a flower of which love is the honey.”
19. “To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.”
20. “The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved.”
21. “The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.”
22. “Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.”
23. “Those who live are those who fight.”
24. “Curiosity is one of the forms of feminine bravery.”
25. “People do not lack strength; they lack will.”
26. “Freedom in art, freedom in society, this is the double goal towards which all consistent and logical minds must strive.”
27. “What is history? An echo of the past in the future; a reflex from the future on the past.”
28. “The future has many names. For the weak, it is unattainable. For the fearful, it is unknown. For the brave, it is opportunity.”
29. “The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.”
30. “The first symptom of love in a young man is shyness; the first symptom in a young woman is boldness.”
31. “A faith is a necessity to a man. Woe to him who believes in nothing.”
32. “Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”
33. “To love another person is to see the face of God.”
34. “The mind is everything; what you think, you become.”
35. “An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come.”
36. “Freedom in art, freedom in society, this is the double goal towards which all consistent and logical minds must strive.”
37. “Love is a portion of the soul itself, and it is of the same nature as the celestial breathing of the atmosphere of paradise.”

38. “The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved.”
39. “The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.”
40. “Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.”
41. “Those who live are those who fight.”
42. “Curiosity is one of the forms of feminine bravery.”
43. “People do not lack strength; they lack will.”
44. “Freedom in art, freedom in society, this is the double goal towards which all consistent and logical minds must strive.”
45. “What is history? An echo of the past in the future; a reflex from the future on the past.”
46. “The future has many names. For the weak, it is unattainable. For the fearful, it is unknown. For the brave, it is opportunity.”
47. “The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.”
48. “The first symptom of love in a young man is shyness; the first symptom in a young woman is boldness.”
49. “A faith is a necessity to a man. Woe to him who believes in nothing.”
50. “Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”
51. “To love another person is to see the face of God.”
52. “The mind is everything; what you think, you become.”
53. “An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come.”
54. “Freedom in art, freedom in society, this is the double goal towards which all consistent and logical minds must strive.”
55. “Love is a portion of the soul itself, and it is of the same nature as the celestial breathing of the atmosphere of paradise.”
56. “It is from books that wise people derive consolation in the troubles of life.”
57. “We are all under sentence of death, but with a sort of indefinite reprieve.”
58. “Love is the foolishness of men, and the wisdom of God.”
59. “No army can stop an idea whose time has come.”
60. “The greatest of all crimes is to do nothing.”
61. “The most formidable weapon against errors of every kind is reason.”
62. “Not being able to govern events, I govern myself.”
63. “There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come.”
64. “The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.”
65. “The greatest and most powerful revolutions often start very quietly, hidden in the shadows.”
66. “The conscience is the voice of the soul.”
67. “All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come.”
68. “The man who is not loved hovers like a vulture over the sweetheart of others.”
69. “The greatest joy in life is to love and be loved in return.”
70. “The more one judges, the less one loves.”
71. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
72. “Adversity makes men, and prosperity makes monsters.”
73. “To put everything in balance is good, to put everything in harmony is better.”
74. “A person who has not studied the world’s history is like a person who has not read a book.”
75. “People do not lack strength, they lack will.”
76. “He who opens a school door, closes a prison.”
77. “There are fathers who do not love their children; there is no grandfather who does not adore his grandson.”

78. “The first symptom of love in a young man is shyness; the first symptom in a young woman is boldness.”
79. “To love beauty is to see light.”
80. “Initiative is doing the right thing without being told.”
81. “As the purse is emptied, the heart is filled.”
82. “Short as life is, we make it still shorter by the careless waste of time.”
83. “To be a saint is the exception; to be upright is the rule.”
84. “The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.”
85. “One can resist the invasion of armies; one cannot resist the invasion of ideas.”
86. “The supreme happiness in life is the conviction that we are loved.”
87. “The human soul has still greater need of the ideal than of the real. It is by the real that we exist; it is by the ideal that we live.”
88. “It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live.”
89. “Love is a force more formidable than any other. It is invisible—it cannot be seen or measured, yet it is powerful enough to transform you in a moment, and offer you more joy than any material possession could.”
90. “If you would comfort me, you must first mourn with me.”
91. “The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.”
92. “There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come.”
93. “Toleration is the best religion.”
94. “The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.”
95. “Life is a flower of which love is the honey.”
96. “Love is like a tree: it grows by itself, roots itself deeply in our being and continues to flourish over a heart in ruin. The inexplicable fact is that the blinder it is, the more tenacious it is. It is never stronger than when it is completely unreasonable.”
97. “To err is human, to forgive, divine.”
98. “There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come.”
99. “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.”
100. “Intelligence is the wife, imagination is the mistress, memory is the servan”

FAQs:

Who is Victor Hugo?

Victor Hugo was a French writer, poet, and playwright who lived from 1802 to 1885. He is best known for his works “Les Misérables” and “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.”

What is Victor Hugo famous for?

Victor Hugo is famous for his contributions to French literature, especially his novels and poetry. He is also known for his political activism, as he was a vocal advocate for social justice and democracy.

When was Victor Hugo born?

Victor Hugo was born on February 26, 1802, in Besançon, France.

What are some of Victor Hugo’s most famous works?

Some of Victor Hugo’s most famous works include “Les Misérables,” “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,” “Les Orientales,” “Les Contemplations,” and “La Légende des siècles.”

Was Victor Hugo involved in politics?

Yes, Victor Hugo was involved in politics throughout his life. He was a member of the National Assembly and was also a vocal advocate for various political causes, including the abolition of the death penalty and the establishment of universal suffrage.

Did Victor Hugo write plays?

Yes, Victor Hugo wrote several plays throughout his career, including “Hernani,” “Ruy Blas,” and “Cromwell.”

What was Victor Hugo’s writing style?

Victor Hugo’s writing style was characterized by its poetic and lyrical quality. He often employed vivid imagery and metaphorical language in his writing.

What was Victor Hugo’s personal life like?

Victor Hugo had a tumultuous personal life, with many ups and downs. He was married to his wife, Adèle, for over 40 years, but he also had several extramarital affairs. He also had a strained relationship with his son, Charles, who suffered from mental illness.

What was Victor Hugo’s relationship with the arts?

Victor Hugo was a passionate supporter of the arts, and he believed that literature and other forms of creative expression were essential for human flourishing. He was friends with many artists and musicians, including the composer Franz Liszt.

How did Victor Hugo die?

Victor Hugo died on May 22, 1885, in Paris, France, at the age of 83. He had been suffering from bronchitis and other health problems in the months leading up to his death.