The thinker who should turn aside from slang would resemble a surgeon who should avert his face from an ulcer or a wart. He would be like a philologist refusing to examine a fact in language, a philosopher hesitating to scrutinize a fact in humanity.
In Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables," the author emphasizes the importance of confronting all aspects of language, including slang. He argues that avoiding slang is akin to a surgeon neglecting to look at a significant medical issue, suggesting that true understanding requires grappling with all facets of human expression.
This analogy extends to fields like philology and philosophy, where ignoring certain elements or facts would hinder one's ability to comprehend language and humanity fully. Hugo advocates for an open-minded approach to knowledge, urging thinkers to embrace every aspect of their subjects rather than shy away from challenging or unpleasant realities.
