Quote by Victor Hugo

There is a sacred horror about everything grand. It is easy to admire mediocrity and hills; but whatever is too lofty, a genius as well as a mountain, an assembly as well as a masterpiece, seen too near, is appalling. Every summit seems an exaggeration. Climbing wearies. The steepnesses take away one's breath; we slip on the slopes, we are hurt by the sharp points which are its beauty; the foaming torrents betray the precipices, clouds hide the mountain tops; mounting is full of terror, as well as a fall. Hence, there is more dismay than admiration. People have a strange feeling of aversion to anything grand. They see abysses, they do not see sublimity; they see the monster, they do not see the prodigy.

There is a sacred horror about everything grand. It is easy

Summary

This quote, by French writer and philosopher Victor Hugo, speaks to the human tendency to feel a sense of fear or aversion towards anything grand or extraordinary. While it is easy to appreciate and admire things that are mediocre or average, encountering something truly majestic or awe-inspiring can be overwhelming. Whether it's a genius, a majestic mountain, an assembly of people, or a masterpiece, when we come face to face with greatness, we may find ourselves intimidated or even frightened. This quote highlights the challenge of fully appreciating and recognizing the sublime in the presence of its overwhelming grandeur.

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