Compassion Quote by Victor Hugo
““The judge speaks in the name of justice,' he said. 'The priest speaks in the name of pity, which is only a higher form of justice.' (Bishop Myriel)””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, 1862
Justice is presented as a formal authority, while pity is portrayed as a deeper, more compassionate form of justice.
In simple terms: Justice is law; pity is deeper justice.
Key Takeaway
Recognize compassion as a higher justice.
Themes
justice
compassion
ethics
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- legal decisions
- social work
- conflict resolution
- community leadership
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
humanism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance law with compassion?
- When does pity become bias?
A Different Perspective
Pity may be seen as subjective and harder to enforce than law.
