Quote by Victor Hugo
You have suffered greatly, poor mother. Oh! do not lament, you have now the portion of the elect. It is in this way that mortals become angels. It is not their fault; they do not know how to set about it otherwise. This hell from which you have come out is the first step towards Heaven. We must begin by that. -- Jean Valjean --
Summary
This quote by Jean Valjean from the novel Les Misérables highlights the transformative power of suffering. Valjean consoles a grieving mother, reminding her that her pain has made her exceptional. He suggests that the trials and tribulations endured by mortals unknowingly pave the path to becoming angels. Valjean views the suffering she has experienced as a necessary step in the journey towards experiencing heaven. By acknowledging and accepting this "hell" from which she has emerged, Valjean emphasizes the potential for growth, resilience, and spiritual advancement inherent in the human experience.
By Victor Hugo