Victor Hugo, in "Les Miserables," expresses the idea that the ideal represents the pinnacle of rational thought, much like beauty embodies the highest form of truth. This suggests that both concepts are intertwined and fundamental to human understanding and experience. When individuals seek the ideal, they are engaging with a form of logic that leads to deeper insights about existence.

Hugo further emphasizes that cultures and societies that appreciate beauty are inherently logical and consistent in their values. The appreciation of beauty is equated with enlightenment, signifying that to love beauty is to embrace a greater understanding of life and reality. This connection underscores the significance of aesthetic appreciation in shaping one’s perception of the world.