Les Misérables

by Victor Hugo

True or false, that which is said of men often occupies as important a place in their lives, and above all in their destinies, as that which they do.

What others say about your actions, looks, behaviour, etc... forms a part of who you are.

One may feel a certain indifference to the death penalty, one may refrain from pronouncing upon it, from saying yes or no, so long as one has not seen a guillotine with one's own eyes: but if one encounters one of them, the shock is violent; one is forced to decide, and to take part for or against.

You cannot be completely for or against something until you have seen or experienced for yourself.

"There is a bravery of the priest as well as the bravery of a colonel of dragoons,—only," he added, "ours must be tranquil."

The republicans are beasts with feathers.

there are accepted revolutions, revolutions which are called revolutions; there are refused revolutions, which are called riots.