Success Hideous Quote by Victor Hugo
““We live in the midst of a gloomy society. Success; that is the lesson which falls drop by drop from the slope of corruption. Be it said in passing, that success is a very hideous thing. Its false resemblance to merit deceives men. For the masses, success has almost the same profile as supremacy. Success, that Menaechmus of talent, has one dupe,--history.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Les Misérables, 1862
Success often masquerades as merit but can be corrupt, resembling supremacy and misleading the masses.
In simple terms: Success can be deceptive and corrupt.
Key Takeaway
Question the true value of success.
Themes
success
corruption
merit
illusion
society
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career ambition
- political power
- public recognition
- ethical leadership
Key Concepts
philosophical critique
social commentary
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines true merit?
- How do you differentiate genuine achievement from superficial success?
A Different Perspective
Not all success is harmful; some can be genuine.
