The passage is in Les Misérables. Hapgood’s inspected 1887 translation uses different wording, so this precise circulating English version is not verified to that edition.
“The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves” — After Victor Hugo, Les Misérables; this exact English translation is unidentified and differs from Isabel F. Hapgood’s 1887 rendering.
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In context
Evoking the world of Victor Hugo — French writer. Theme: "The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves". Atmospheric and restrained, cinematic directional light, a muted period-appropriate palette, fine grain and texture. Compose with generous empty space for the quote and a small credit line. No lettering in the image itself.
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Provenance
The source
Source
Les Misérables; exact displayed translator unconfirmed
Status
Gutenberg title page identifies Isabel F. Hapgood and 1887. Full text contains the matching thought but says consists in / one is loved / one’s self, not the displayed wording. Treat attribution as sound and exact translation unresolved.
Translation
Displayed translator unresolved; comparison text: Isabel F. Hapgood, 1887
The supreme happiness of life consists in the conviction that one is loved; loved for one’s own sake—let us say rather, loved in spite of one’s self.
The primary translation contains the passage but differs from the displayed English wording. Read Hapgood’s translation ↗
The novel’s bibliographical background identifies the French work and its translation history. Novel background ↗
The exact wording has not been tied to a dated original edition. No public-domain status is asserted; the excerpt is used briefly for attribution and criticism.
Rights status is our research, not legal advice — and copyright varies by country and edition. For commercial or published use, confirm with the rightsholder. See terms.
Fact-check
Often misattributed
Translation variants should be acknowledged rather than silently interchanged.
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Popular creditExact Hapgood wording
The inspected edition differs in several words; its bibliographical details should not be attached to the displayed version. Compare the text ↗
✓The thought is Hugo’s; this exact English translation remains unidentified. Hapgood translation ↗
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Filed under
More provenance-checked quotes on the same theme, each with its reuse status.
Victor Hugo wrote Les Misérables. The checked passage reflects on the comfort of being loved during a discussion of blindness and care, rather than presenting love as a reward for perfection.
For writers & researchers
Cite this
The primary source (Chicago)
Les Misérables; exact displayed translator unconfirmed. See the linked research; a primary edition of the displayed wording has not been independently confirmed.
This verification page
Quotle.info. “Who really said ‘The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves’?” Last verified 9 Nov 2026. https://quotle.info/who-said/the-supreme-happiness-of-life-is-the-conviction-that-we-are/