# XIII: What He Believed explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

This chapter explores the Bishop of Digne's personal beliefs, emphasizing his profound love and benevolence that extend beyond orthodox faith. It describes his gentle nature, his compassion for all creatures (even spiders and ants), and his daily life filled with prayer, charity, gardening, and nocturnal contemplation under the stars. The chapter portrays him as a just and serene soul who finds God in both the small garden and the immensity of the heavens.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Compassion

The Bishop's 'excess of love' is highlighted as a serene benevolence that extends to all people and even to animals, such as the spider he pities and the ant he avoids stepping on.

### The Human Condition and Fate

The chapter delves into the Bishop's contemplation of life, death, eternity, and the mysteries of the universe, reflecting on the human condition through his nightly meditations.

### Suffering and Sacrifice

The Bishop's life of renunciation, frugality, and self-denial (e.g., his simple garden and lack of material wants) exemplifies a quiet sacrifice and acceptance of suffering.

## Character check-ins

### Monseigneur Bienvenu

The Bishop of Digne is the central focus; his beliefs, gentle character, and daily habits are detailed, including his compassion for animals and his nightly meditations in the garden.

### Mademoiselle Baptistine

Mentioned as his sister who walks behind him in the garden and, along with Madame Magloire, sometimes hears him pacing at night.

### Madame Magloire

Referenced as one of the two old women who, along with Baptistine, sometimes hear the Bishop walking in the garden late at night.

## Key lines

> He was indulgent towards God’s creation. Every man, even the best, has within him a thoughtless harshness which he reserves for animals. The Bishop of Digne had none of that harshness...

The Bishop showed kindness to all creatures, unlike most people who are often unthinkingly cruel to animals.

_Illustrates the Bishop's universal compassion._

> A little garden in which to walk, and immensity in which to dream. At one’s feet that which can be cultivated and plucked; over head that which one can study and meditate upon: some flowers on earth, and all the stars in the sky.

He needed only a small garden to tend and the vast sky to contemplate, finding fulfillment in earthly flowers and heavenly stars.

_Summarizes the Bishop's simple yet profound spiritual life._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/xiii-what-he-believed
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters