Often the losing of a battle leads to the winning of progress. Less glory but greater liberty: the drum is silent and the voices of reason can be heard.

The claw, that's the beast that enters your flesh; the sucker, that's you yourself who enters into the beast. (...) Beyond the terror of being eaten alive is the ineffability of being drunk alive.

The animal is ignorant of the fact that he knows. The man is aware of the fact that he is ignorant.

When you get an idea into your head you find it in everything.

In principle any revolt strengthens the government it fails to overthrow.

Jean Valjean had entered the galleys sobbing and shuddering; he emerged impassive. He had entered in despair; he emerged gloomy.

In the morning I write love letters; in the evening I dig graves. Such is life, rustic.