“The wicked envy and hate; it is their way of admiring.”
- 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
“The wicked envy and hate; it is their way of admiring.”
Explanation
In this quote, Victor Hugo suggests that envy and hatred are often not just expressions of negative emotion, but twisted forms of admiration. For those who are wicked or morally corrupt, the way they admire others is not through admiration or respect, but through resentment and desire for what others have. Instead of acknowledging and appreciating the virtues or successes of others, the wicked respond by trying to tear them down, driven by jealousy. In this sense, envy and hate become distorted forms of admiration, as the wicked are drawn to what they cannot have or achieve, and instead of celebrating it, they resent it.
Hugo’s words reflect a deeper psychological insight into the nature of negativity and how it can arise from feelings of inferiority or frustration. Rather than seeing something good in others, the wicked turn their admiration into destructive emotions, which ultimately harms both themselves and the object of their envy.
In modern terms, this quote speaks to the idea that envy and hatred are often rooted in a lack of self-esteem or personal insecurity. Those who cannot find peace with themselves or their circumstances often turn to negativity instead of admiration. It reminds us that the capacity for jealousy and resentment often stems from a place of wanting what others have, but lacking the ability to see it as something to be appreciated or inspired by, rather than resented.
