A Classic's Challenge -- August Post

Thursday, August 09, 2012

The prompt for this month's classics challenge, hosted by November's Autumn, is to share a quote from the classic you are currently reading, which is -- guess! -- still Les Miserables. I have been highlighting this book to death (yes, I'm one of those) so I am excited for the opportunity to share a quote (or three) from this beautiful novel with you.



Algebra applies to the clouds;
the radiance of the star benefits the rose. 
No thinker worth his salt would dare claim that the scent of the hawthorn is useless
to the constellations.
Who can calculate the trajectory of a molecule?
How do we know the creation of worlds
is not determined
by the falling of grains of sand?
Who, after all, knows the reciprocal ebb and flow
of the infinitely small,
the reverberation of causes in the chasms of a being,
the avalanches of creation?

And also...



I met in the street
a very poor young man
who loved.
His hat was old,
his coat was worn; 
there were holes at his elbows;
the water got into his shoes
and the stars
got into his soul.

And finally...



When you learn finally to know
and when you learn finally to love
you will suffer still.
The day begins in tears.
Those filled with light weep,
if only over those
filled with darkness.


See why I love this book!?

8 comments:

  1. What beautiful writing.
    I am an over-highlighter too :)

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    Replies
    1. Good to know I am not the only one. :) I think books are to be savored, not protected behind glass cases!

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  2. I had no idea it was so poetic!

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    Replies
    1. The line breaks are definitely not like that or anything, but his writing is definitely poetic, especially in the Julie Rose translation!

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  3. All of those quotes are so beautiful! Thank you for sharing them Lorren. :)

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  4. I especially like the last one. I was thinking about the sadness of good people the other day and I think the quote perfectly comprehends it.

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    Replies
    1. Everything Hugo writes is so profound. I loved the book.

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