Do not forget, do not ever forget, that you have promised me to use the money to make yourself an honest man.'Valjean, who did not recall having made any promise, was silent. The bishop had spoken the words slowly and deliberately. He concluded with a solemn emphasis:Jean Valjean, my brother, you no longer belong to what is evil but to what is good. I have bought your soul to save it from black thoughts and the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God.

Summary

In this quote from Victor Hugo's novel, Les Misérables, the Bishop of Digne reminds Jean Valjean of a promise he supposedly made to use a sum of money for an honorable purpose. Valjean's silence, however, suggests that he doesn't remember making this commitment. Regardless, the bishop declares that Valjean now belongs to goodness, having redeemed his soul from darkness. The bishop's act of purchasing Valjean's soul, metaphorically, demonstrates his willingness to save Valjean from immoral influences and offer him a chance at redemption through God's mercy and grace.

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