Bishop Quote by Victor Hugo
““He was not tall; he was rather plump; and, in order to combat this tendency, he was fond of taking long strolls on foot; his step was firm, and his form was but slightly bent, a detail from which we do not pretend to draw any conclusion. Gregory XVI., at the age of eighty, held himself erect and smiling, which did not prevent him from being a bad bishop.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, 1862
A description of a bishop’s physical appearance and demeanor, noting his habits and contradictions without drawing moral judgments.
In simple terms: Physical traits and habits are noted without moral inference.
Observe details without assuming character.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- historical biography
- character study
- social commentary
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do physical traits influence our perception of character?
- Can we separate habit from moral judgment?
Physical description alone may not reflect true character.