Page 2080 - les-miserables

mode of procedure, battle, from the lie of yesterday. It, the
future, behaves like the past. It, pure idea, becomes a deed
of violence. It complicates its heroism with a violence for
which it is just that it should be held to answer; a violence
of occasion and expedient, contrary to principle, and for
which it is fatally punished. The Utopia, insurrection, fights
with the old military code in its fist; it shoots spies, it ex-
ecutes traitors; it suppresses living beings and flings them
into unknown darkness. It makes use of death, a serious
matter. It seems as though Utopia had no longer any faith
in radiance, its irresistible and incorruptible force. It strikes
with the sword. Now, no sword is simple. Every blade has
two edges; he who wounds with the one is wounded with
the other.
Having made this reservation, and made it with all se-
verity, it is impossible for us not to admire, whether they
succeed or not, those the glorious combatants of the future,
the confessors of Utopia. Even when they miscarry, they are
worthy of veneration; and it is, perhaps, in failure, that they
possess the most majesty. Victory, when it is in accord with
progress, merits the applause of the people; but a heroic de-
feat merits their tender compassion. The one is magnificent,
the other sublime. For our own part, we prefer martyrdom
to success. John Brown is greater than Washington, and
Pisacane is greater than Garibaldi.
It certainly is necessary that some one should take the
part of the vanquished.
We are unjust towards these great men who attempt the
future, when they fail.

2080 Les Miserables