“Thought is more than a right – it is the very breath of man. Whoever fetters thought attacks man himself. To speak, to write, to publish, are things, so far as the right is concerned, absolutely identical. They are the ever-enlarging circles of intelligence in action; they are the sonorous waves of thought.”
- 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.
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Quote
“Thought is more than a right – it is the very breath of man. Whoever fetters thought attacks man himself. To speak, to write, to publish, are things, so far as the right is concerned, absolutely identical. They are the ever-enlarging circles of intelligence in action; they are the sonorous waves of thought.”
Explanation
In this quote, Victor Hugo asserts that freedom of thought is not merely a right—it is essential to the very existence and nature of humanity. He suggests that thought is akin to breathing, an indispensable part of what makes us human. To restrict or fetter thought, therefore, is not only an infringement on rights, but an assault on the human spirit itself. When the freedom to think is suppressed, it stifles the very essence of human identity and intellectual life.
Hugo extends this idea by equating the act of speaking, writing, and publishing as equally important in the expression of thought. These acts are not simply modes of communication but represent the active unfolding of intelligence and reason. The “ever-enlarging circles of intelligence” suggests that as people share their thoughts, ideas grow and spread, creating an expanding network of understanding. The “sonorous waves of thought” metaphor emphasizes the resonance and reach of human expression, suggesting that our ideas ripple out, affecting others and continuing to influence the world.
Hugo’s words reflect a profound belief in the sacredness of freedom of expression, where ideas, once shared, have the power to transform society. He insists that intellectual freedom is not just a matter of individual rights, but a matter of preserving the core of human dignity and progress.
In modern terms, this quote speaks to the importance of freedom of speech and thought in the functioning of a just society. It reminds us that the ability to think, speak, and write without censorship is not only a right, but a crucial element in the ongoing development of human understanding and progress. It encourages us to view the act of sharing ideas as a fundamental human responsibility, one that has the power to enlighten, connect, and elevate.
