Skip to content

Beauty Quote by Victor Hugo

“Knowing that she was beautiful, she was thoroughly conscious, though in an indistinct fashion, that she possessed a weapon. Women play with their beauty as children do with a knife. They wound themselves.” quote by Victor Hugo
Download Open image
““Knowing that she was beautiful, she was thoroughly conscious, though in an indistinct fashion, that she possessed a weapon. Women play with their beauty as children do with a knife. They wound themselves.””

Victor Hugo

About This Quote

Beauty is portrayed as a weapon that women wield unconsciously, likened to a knife that can cause self‑harm, suggesting destructive potential of societal expectations.

In simple terms: Beauty can be a harmful weapon.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and mitigate harmful beauty standards.

Themes

beauty self‑harm gender

Mood

critical analytical

Type

social commentary psychological insight

When to use this quote

  • self‑esteem
  • mental health
  • gender expectations

Key Concepts

psychology social critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does society’s view of beauty affect women?
  • In what ways can beauty become self‑destructive?
A Different Perspective

Beauty’s power can be misused or internalized negatively.

3.2 out of 5 (8 ratings)

More by Victor Hugo

Explore all 2,190 Victor Hugo quotes

More Beauty quotes

Browse all 24,688 Beauty quotes