The greatest products of architecture are less the works of individuals than of society; rather the offspring of a nation's effort, than the inspired flash of a man of genius...
His judgement demonstrates that one can be a genius and understand nothing of an art that is not one's own.
He was fine; he, that orphan that foundling that outcast; he felt himself august and strong; he looked full in the face that society from which he was banished, and into which he had so powerfully intervened; that human justice from which he had snat...
So you're giving up? That's it? Okay, okay. We'll leave you alone, Quasimodo. We just thought, maybe you're made up of something much stronger.
The saints were his friends, and blessed him; the monsters were his friends, and guarded him.
If he had had all Peru in his pocket, he would certainly have given it to this dancer; but Gringoire had not Peru in his pocket; and besides, America was not yet discovered. (p. 66)
Phoebus de Chateaupers likewise came to a 'tragic end': he married.
a mother who loses her child can no longer believe in God
He left her. She was dissatisfied with him. He had preferred to incur her anger rather than cause her pain. He had kept all the pain for himself.
One drop of wine is enough to redden a whole glass of water.
