What is Waterloo? A victory? No. The winning number in the lottery.
The quote from Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" reflects a deep philosophical insight regarding perceptions of success and victory. The phrase "What is Waterloo?" suggests that the reference is not only about the historic battle but about the broader implications of winning and losing in life. Rather than seeing Waterloo as a moment of triumph, it is likened to winning a lottery, emphasizing the randomness and chance involved in what we often deem as success.
This comparison highlights how society frequently celebrates conventional victories, yet overlooks the luck and circumstance that contribute to such outcomes. In this light, Hugo challenges readers to reconsider what true success means and to recognize that sometimes, outcomes perceived as victories can be more about fortuitous events than personal achievement or worth.
