“He who opens a school door, closes a prison.”
What this quote means
Victor Hugo's quote asserts the transformative power of education. By opening a school, we offer young people opportunities, knowledge, and perspectives that steer them away from crime and ignorance. Education is a liberating force that breaks the chains of poverty and oppression. It reminds us that every effort to educate is an investment in a better future, both for the individual and for society.
How to apply it daily
Support an educational initiative, whether by volunteering, donating books, or sharing your knowledge with someone in need.
Reading guide
Which book should you read to discover Victor Hugo?
Our starting point
Discovering Hugo's full epic and humanist range
Les Misérables
His great novel brings together the questions of justice, poverty, forgiveness, and commitment that run through his work.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Reading time
- 25–35 hours
- Formats to compare
- Print · Ebook · Audio
Merchant links help compare editions. Recommendations are editorially independent.
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