Drunkard Quote by Victor Hugo
““This Boulatruelle was a man in bad odour with the people of the neighbourhood; he was too respectful, too humble, prompt to doff his cap to everybody; he always trembled and smiled in the presence of the gendarmes, was probably in secret connection with robber-bands, said the gossips, and suspected of lying in wait in the hedge corners at nightfall. He had nothing in his favour except that he was a drunkard.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Les Misérables, 1862
A seemingly respectable man is rumored to be a drunkard and possibly criminal, illustrating how reputation and suspicion shape social perception.
In simple terms: Rumors and appearances shape how society judges a person.
Key Takeaway
Question appearances and seek truth.
Themes
society
reputation
class
suspicion
Mood
critical
empathetic
Type
literary
social
When to use this quote
- community interactions
- law enforcement
- media reporting
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
Social stigma
identity
moral ambiguity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do rumors affect community cohesion?
- What can be done to verify truth before judgment?
A Different Perspective
Judgments based on rumor can be unjust and harmful.
