Who said “He who opens a school door, closes a prison.”?

Disputed

It's credited to Victor Hugo, but no reliable source from their lifetime has been found.

What the research foundNo reliable early source found for Victor Hugo.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

APA

“He who opens a school door, closes a prison.” [Quotation attributed to Victor Hugo]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/4206-he-who-opens-a-school-door-closes-a/

MLA

“He who opens a school door, closes a prison.” Attributed to Victor Hugo. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/4206-he-who-opens-a-school-door-closes-a/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“He who opens a school door, closes a prison.” Attributed to Victor Hugo. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/4206-he-who-opens-a-school-door-closes-a/.

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