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About this quote

What does it mean?
Jesus cried and Voltaire smiled, representing divine compassion and human reason. This combination forms the basis of current civilization's gentleness.
In plain terms
Compassion and reason together make civilization gentle.
What can you take from it?
Empathy and reason combine to soften society.

Where it applies

  • philosophical discussion
  • historical comparison

Putting it to work

  • value both faith and reason
  • promote gentle society

Questions to consider

  • What makes civilization gentle?
  • How do faith and reason interact?

Another view

It simplifies complex historical figures into single emotional traits.

More from Victor Hugo

  1. Mettre tout en equilibre, c'est bien; mettre tout en harmonie, c'est mieux.

    Permalink to quote #10
  2. C'est ici le combat du jour ou de la nuit... Je vois de la lumiere noire.

    Permalink to quote #12
  3. Vous creez un frisson nouveau.

    Permalink to quote #9

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