As many of you know, I am a reader of classic literature. Being raised
on Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters, to be perfectly honest, I find much of
modern literature quite insipid. Most people would find it very difficult to be
more interested by the (so I have heard) slow going story of Pride and
Prejudice than the quick paced events of the twilight books. But so it is with
me.
Yes…. I am still laboring over
Les Miserables. It has been many months
since I have undertaken this work. It is certainly a difficult read because of
the vast amount of history sprinkled within the tragic story. However, there
are such amazing nuggets of writing, not just writing, but profound truths, to be found.
I read this chunk last week, and I had to bookmark it so I could go
back to it because it resonated with me so much. This is the reason why I read
classic literature. Morals still existed then. God is recognized in everything.
Goodness and character is desired above all else.
Volume 3. Book 5. Chapter.3
Poverty in youth, when it succeeds, has this magnificent property about
it, that it turns the whole will toward effort, and the whole soul toward
aspiration. Poverty instantly lays material life bare and renders it hideous;
hence inexpressible bounds toward the ideal life. The wealthy young man has a
hundred coarse and brilliant distractions, horse races, hunting, dogs, tobacco,
gaming, good repasts, and all the rest of it; occupations for the baser side o
the soul, at the expense of the loftier and more delicate sides. The poor young
man wins his bread with difficulty; he eats; when he has eaten, he has nothing
more but meditation. He goes to the spectacles which God furnishes gratis; he
gazes at the sky, space, the stars, flowers, children, the humanity among which
he is suffering, the creation amid which he beams. He gazes so much on humanity
that he perceives his soul, he gazes upon creation to such an extent that he
beholds God. He dreams, he feels himself great; he dreams on, and feels himself
tender. From the egotism of the man who suffers he passes to the compassion of
the man who meditates. And admirable sentiment breaks forth in him, forgetfulness
of self and pity for all. As he thinks of the innumerable enjoyments which
nature offers, gives, lavishes to souls which stand open, and refuses to souls
that are closed, he comes to pity, he the millionaire of the mind, the
millionaire of money. All hatred departs from his heart, in proportion as light
penetrates his spirit. And is he unhappy? No. The misery of a young man is
never miserable. The first young lad who comes to hand, however poor he may be,
with his strength, his health, his rapid walk, his brilliant eyes, his warmly circulating
blood, his black hair, his red lips, his white teeth, his pure breath, will
always arouse the envy of the aged emperor. And then, every morning, he sets
himself afresh to the task of earning his bread; and while his hands earn his
bread, his dorsal column gains pride, his brain gathers ideas. His task
finished, he returns to ineffable ecstasies, to contemplation, to joys; he
beholds his feet in afflictions, in obstacles, on the pavement, in the nettles
sometimes in the mire; his head in the light. He is firm, serene, gentle,
peaceful, attentive, serious, content with little, kindly; and he thanks God
for having bestowed on him those two forms of riches which many a rich man
lacks: work, which makes him free; and thought, which makes him dignified.
I would like to expound upon this beautiful bit of prose. But really, Hugo says it all. Some may say that much of this is not as relevant in today's society. After all, we no longer operate under a strict caste system. But I think you would be surprised at how much of this is still perfectly applicable in our world today. Character is still grown within the individual who understand the power of hard work and a reliance on God.
The ideal life is not one filled with material things, for those are merely distractions from what truly matters in this life. Thankfulness is not born easily in the entitled, but it is born in abundance in the heart that seeks goodness and truth.
