We are never done, then, with conscience. Make up your mind what to do with it, Brutus; make up your mind what to do with it, Cato. It is without end, being God. We throw into this bottomless pit a lifetime of labor, we throw into it our fortune, we throw into it our success, we throw into it our liberty or our country, we throw into it our well-being, we throw into it our repose, we throw into it our joy. More! More! More! Empty the vessel! Tip out the urn! We are forced in the end to throw in our hearts. Somewhere in the mists of the old underworld there is a barrel like that.
In Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables," the quote emphasizes the ongoing struggle with one's conscience. Conscience is portrayed as an infinite force that requires constant attention and decision-making. It urges characters like Brutus and Cato to confront their moral choices repeatedly throughout their lives, underscoring the relentless nature of ethical responsibility.
The quote also highlights the sacrifices people make in the pursuit of fulfilling their conscience. Individuals invest their efforts, fortunes, and even emotional well-being into this "bottomless pit," suggesting that the pursuit of moral integrity can demand everything from us, including our very hearts. This metaphor illustrates the profound impact of conscience on human existence, suggesting that it is both a weighty burden and an essential part of the human experience.
