Miserable beings, who, during their ragged infancy, ran…
““Miserable beings, who, during their ragged infancy, ran barefoot in the mud of the crossings; shivering in winter near the quays, or seeking to warm themselves from the kitchens of M. Véfour, where you happen to be dining; scratching out, here and there, a crust of bread from the heaps of filth, and wiping it before eating; scraping in the gutter all day, with a rusty nail, in the hopes of finding a farthing; having no other amusement than the gratuitous sight of the king’s fête, and the executions — that other gratuitous sight: poor devils! whom hunger forces to theft, and theft to all the rest; children disinherited by their step-mother, the world; who are adopted by the house of correction, in their twelfth year, by the galleys at eighteen, and by the guillotine at forty! Unfortunate beings, whom, by means of a school and a workshop, you might have rendered good, moral, useful; and with whom you now know not what to do; flinging them away like a useless burthen, sometimes into the red antheaps of Toulon, sometimes into the silent cemetery of Clamart; cutting off life after taking away liberty.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Society neglects the poor, leading to suffering and crime; education and opportunity could prevent this.
In simple terms: Neglect creates misery; help can change lives.
Key Takeaway
Invest in education and support for the vulnerable.
Themes
poverty
social injustice
crime
redemption
Mood
somber
empathetic
Type
literary
social commentary
When to use this quote
- public policy
- charitable work
- community outreach
- school programs
Key Concepts
human rights
social policy
Questions to Reflect On
- What practical steps can reduce poverty?
- How does education alter life trajectories?
A Different Perspective
Systemic change requires sustained political will.