Les Misérables Quotes

Jean Valjean You might be making a mistake.

Javert Mistake? What kind of mistake is that?

Jean Valjean Sometimes, people move into town to start a new slate, you might be doing more harm than good by prying into their private lives.

Jean Valjean Brevet, Lombard, Bertin. Look at me. You recognize me? I recognize you, Brevet. You were an informer in Toulon, I see you're still a snitch.

Brevet Valjean?

Jean Valjean Hello, Brevet. And you, Lombard, don't look at my fancy clothes, don't look at my scraped chin. Look at my eyes. You called yourself Godless, right? You've got a scar on your left shoulder. I gave it to you the night you tried to kill me, remember? When I pinned you over the stove.

Lombard It is you...

Jean Valjean Show the court your scar.

Jean Valjean Bertin, the hollow of your left arm, there's a date tatooed, 1789, the year of the revolution. Show them!

Jean Valjean I know these men, Monsieur le President, and they know me. I am the man you want. I am Jean Valjean.

Captain Beauvais Are you a convict? Is that true?

Jean Valjean Yes.

Captain Beauvais Where's the inspector, in there?

Jean Valjean Inside.

Captain Beauvais Did you kill him?

Captain Beauvais That's a pity. You'd better hit me hard enough... to make a lump.

Bishop Now don't forget, don't ever forget, you've promised to become a new man.

Jean Valjean Promise? Wha, Why are you doing this?

Bishop Jean Valjean my brother you no longer belong to evil. With this silver, I have bought your soul. I've ransomed you from fear and hatred, and now I give you back to God.

Judge Monsieur le maire, I know you to be a kind man, but this...

Jean Valjean A kind? A kind man? When I was in prison I was as ignorant and mean and devious as these men here, but not kind. And I wish I could keep my mouth shut and let this poor wretch suffer for me, but... continue with your investigation, monsieur, you will find further proof that I am Valjean.

Jean Valjean This is right, my dear. I stole something, I did. I stole happiness with you. I don't mind paying.

Jean Valjean When you're better, I'll find work for you.

Fantine But you don't understand, I'm a whore... and Cosette has no father.

Jean Valjean She has the Lord. He is her father. And you're his creation. In his eyes, you have never been anything but an innocent and... beautiful woman.

Javert Reform is a discredited fantasy. Modern science tells us that people are by nature, law breakers or law abiders. A wolf could wear sheep's clothing but he's still a wolf.

Marius If we can't win today, then none of us have a future.

Jean Valjean You have love. That's the only future God gives us.

Jean Valjean Nineteen years, now the real punishment begins.

Cosette I didn't breathe when you spoke. I was afraid I'd miss a word.

Jean Valjean You look better everyday.

Fantine Liar.

Mme. Gilot What crime did you commit?

Jean Valjean Maybe I killed someone... How do you know I'm not going to murder you?

Bishop How do you know I'm not going to murder you?

Jean Valjean What is that - a joke?

Bishop I guess we'll have to trust each other.

Javert Monsieur, a serious... a grave violation of the public trust has been committed. An inferior has shown a complete lack of respect for the law. He must be exposed and punished.

Jean Valjean Who is the offender?

Javert I am. I slandered you Monsieur le maire, I'm here to ask that you demand my dismissal.

Javert It's a pity the law doesn't allow me to be merciful.

Cosette Please tell me what this is all about, papa. Please, please tell me what this is. Please, what is it?

Jean Valjean I... I am a convict. When I was young... just your age I was very poor, I was starving. One day, I stood in front of the window. A window full of bread, there was just glass between me... and not being hungry anymore, it was so easy. So I broke it... and took what I wanted. Then they caught me... and put me in chains for almost 19 years. They did things to me... I can't tell you about it, and I did things, there in jail. Terrible things. I became an animal. They took my dignity, they took everything from me.

Javert He lies so well, doesn't he? He's had a lot of practice. A lifetime of lies.