Victor Hugo quote about pity from Les Misérables - The judge speaks in the name of justice; the priest speaks in the name of pity, which is nothing but a more lofty justice.
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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

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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
Original quote

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