“ The judge speaks in the name of justice; the priest speaks in the name of pity, which is nothing but a more lofty justice. ”
Victor Hugo, Les Misérables (1862). copy citation
| Author | Victor Hugo |
|---|---|
| Source | Les Misérables |
| Topic | pity justice compassion |
| Date | 1862 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translation by Isabel F. Hapgood in 1887 |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/135/135-h/135-h.htm |
Context
“You are putting the thunderbolt on its trial.»
The Bishop felt, without, perhaps, confessing it, that something within him had suffered extinction. Nevertheless, he put a good face on the matter. He replied:—
«The judge speaks in the name of justice; the priest speaks in the name of pity, which is nothing but a more lofty justice. A thunderbolt should commit no error.» And he added, regarding the member of the Convention steadily the while, «Louis XVII.?»
The conventionary stretched forth his hand and grasped the Bishop's arm.” source
The Bishop felt, without, perhaps, confessing it, that something within him had suffered extinction. Nevertheless, he put a good face on the matter. He replied:—
«The judge speaks in the name of justice; the priest speaks in the name of pity, which is nothing but a more lofty justice. A thunderbolt should commit no error.» And he added, regarding the member of the Convention steadily the while, «Louis XVII.?»
The conventionary stretched forth his hand and grasped the Bishop's arm.” source
Meaning and analysis
