“Strange to say, the luminous world is the invisible world; the luminous world is that which we do not see. Our eyes of flesh see only night.”
- February 26, 1802 – May 22, 1885
- Born in France
- Author, poet, playwright
- Written novels and poems such as “Les Miserables” and “Notre-Dame de Paris,” he was a representative figure of French Romantic literature and had a worldwide influence.
Quote
“Strange to say, the luminous world is the invisible world; the luminous world is that which we do not see. Our eyes of flesh see only night.”
Explanation
In this quote, Victor Hugo presents a paradoxical view of reality, suggesting that the truest, most illuminating aspects of life are those that are invisible to the physical eye. He contrasts the luminous world, which represents deeper truths, inner wisdom, and spiritual enlightenment, with the material world that we can perceive with our senses, which he metaphorically describes as night. This implies that true light is not something we see with our eyes but something we must perceive with a deeper, more intuitive understanding—through the soul, the mind, or the spirit.
Hugo’s emphasis on the invisible world aligns with Romanticism’s focus on the unseen and emotional experiences that go beyond the surface. He often believed that the real world, with its richness of meaning and beauty, was hidden behind the everyday and physical. The night that we see with our eyes can be interpreted as a symbol of the limitations of materialism and superficial knowledge, which prevent us from accessing deeper truths about ourselves and the world.
In modern terms, this quote speaks to the importance of perception and awareness beyond the material realm. While we live in a world dominated by physical appearances and immediate gratification, true enlightenment and understanding often require us to look beyond what we can see and explore the spiritual, philosophical, and emotional dimensions of life. In today’s fast-paced, visually-driven world, Hugo’s words remind us of the importance of looking inward, trusting our deeper instincts, and understanding that the most meaningful aspects of life are not always visible at first glance.
