But that which pleases us in people who are rising pleases us less in the case of people who are falling. We only love the fray so long as there is danger, and in any case, the combatants of the first hour have alone the right to be the exterminators of the last. He who has not been a stubborn accuser in prosperity should hold his peace in the face of ruin. The denunciator of success is the only legitimate executioner of the fall. As for us, when Providence intervenes and strikes, we let it work.
In Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables," there is an exploration of society's shifting perceptions towards individuals based on their circumstances. When someone is on the rise, their actions and qualities are celebrated, yet the same actions are scrutinized when that individual experiences a decline. This reflects a broader human tendency to admire success while being less forgiving towards failure.
Hugo emphasizes the idea that those who have not openly criticized or challenged someone during their moments of success are not entitled to do so when that person faces hardship. Only those who have actively engaged in the struggle are justified in their judgments. Ultimately, when fate intervenes to bring about ruin, it is suggested that society should refrain from intervening, allowing the natural course of events to unfold.
