God can add nothing to the happiness of those who love, except to give them endless duration. After a life of love, an eternity of love is, in fact, an augmentation; but to increase in intensity even the ineffable felicity which love bestows on the soul even in this world, is impossible, even to God. God is the plenitude of heaven; love is the plenitude of man.
In Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables," the quote reflects on the nature of love and its relationship with divine happiness. It suggests that while God embodies ultimate happiness, He cannot enhance the joy that love brings to those who experience it. The sentiment implies that love, in its purest form, is already a complete source of happiness for individuals, making it impossible for any additional intensity to be added, even by God Himself.
Furthermore, the quote emphasizes that after a lifetime filled with love, an eternal existence of love serves as an enhancement rather than an increase in the intensity of that happiness. Thus, the essence of love remains central to human experience, symbolizing the peak of fulfillment, while God's role is anchored in providing the everlasting aspect of that love. This perspective beautifully captures the intersection of human emotion and divine presence, highlighting love as the core of our existence.
