In "Les Misérables," Victor Hugo emphasizes the importance of adhering to both scientific understanding and moral conscience in leadership. He suggests that a ruler's authority should be guided by these two principles, ensuring that decisions are grounded in reason and ethics.
Hugo further proposes that conscience serves as an innate form of science present within every soul. This notion highlights the idea that individuals possess an inner moral compass that informs their choices, reinforcing the belief that compassionate governance must intertwine with rational thought.