In Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables," the author captures the melancholic beauty of traveling, suggesting that each journey is akin to experiencing life and death simultaneously. The act of seeing countless things for the first and last time evokes a sense of deep sorrow and profound appreciation for fleeting moments. This transient nature of travel reflects the bittersweet reality that every encounter is unique and ephemeral.

Hugo conveys that traveling allows individuals to constantly experience new beginnings and endings, as they immerse themselves in unfamiliar surroundings. This process of rebirth through exploration reminds us to cherish every experience, knowing it may never happen again. The quote encapsulates the essence of travel as a journey filled with emotional richness and the poignant awareness of life's impermanence.