Oh, you who are! Ecclesiastes calls you the All-powerful; the Maccabees call you the Creator; the Epistle to the Ephesians calls you liberty; Baruch calls you Immensity; the Psalms call you Wisdom and Truth; John calls you Light; the Books of Kings call you Lord; Exodus calls you Providence; Leviticus, Sanctity; Esdras, Justice; the creation calls you God; man calls you Father; but Solomon calls you Compassion, and that is the most beautiful of all your names.
In Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables," various texts and traditions refer to the divine using an array of powerful names that highlight different qualities and attributes. From the Creator and Liberty to Immensity and Justice, each name reflects a unique aspect of the divine nature, resonating with deep philosophical and spiritual significance across cultures. The text emphasizes that different communities and beliefs have their own interpretations and representations of God, illustrating the richness of human understanding of the divine.
Among these many names, Solomon's designation of God as Compassion stands out as the most profound and moving. Compassion embodies the essence of what it means to connect with humanity and demonstrates a deep understanding of human suffering and love. Hugo suggests that this attribute is not only paramount but also the most beautiful, representing the ultimate form of divine benevolence and empathy towards all living beings.
