Quote by Victor Hugo

Jesus wept; Voltaire smiled. From that divine tear and from that human smile is derived the grace of present civilization.

Jesus wept; Voltaire smiled. From that divine tear and from

Summary

This quote contrasts the emotional response of Jesus and Voltaire to illustrate the balance between sorrow and optimism in the development of modern civilization. "Jesus wept" refers to the empathy and compassion of Jesus, while "Voltaire smiled" symbolizes the power of reason and intellectual enlightenment. Together, these contrasting expressions of emotion form the foundation of grace in present society. It implies that a harmonious civilization arises from both acknowledging and understanding the suffering of humanity, as well as embracing the capacity for happiness, progress, and intellectual pursuits.

Topics

Grace Civilization

By Victor Hugo

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