A Letter By Victor Hugo with Advice to a Young Poet
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Hauteville house. - 3 November [1862]
I read your poem, Monsieur, you asked me for advice, I sense a noble heart in your ___ plea, I strive to answer you.
No, do not sacrifice your profession, do not hazard your peace; the priest lives on the altar, but the poet does not live on poetry.
That literature requires the literate, ___ without exception. Success is capricious. I add this: success sometimes avoids the talent and goes to the mediocrity; thus it is impossible to predict anything.
After having read a very beautiful poem, one must neither encourage nor discourage the poet.
That is my disposition, Monsieur.
Recieve my cordial sentiment of ___.
~ Victor Hugo
Actual handwritten letter from Victor Hugo:
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