At the hour of civilization through which we are now passing, and which is still so sombre, the miserable’s name is MAN; he is agonizing in all climes, and he is groaning in all languages.

[À l’heure, si sombre encore, de la civilisation où nous sommes, le misérable s’appelle L’HOMME; il agonise sous tous les climats, et il gémit dans toutes les langues.]

Victor Hugo (1802-1885) French writer

Letter (1862-10-18) to M. Daelli [tr. Wraxall (1862)
    (Source)

(Source (French)). Daeli was the publisher of the Italian translation of Les Misérables.