Top 153 Quotes & Sayings by Henrik Ibsen - Page 3

Bigger things than the State will fall, all religion will fall.

Oh yes, right—right. What is the use of having right on your side if you have not got might?

Oh, yes--you can shout me down, I know! But you cannot answer me. The majority has might on its side--unfortunately; but right it has not.

In great memories there lies the seed of growth.

There is something so indescribably sweet and satisfying in the knowledge that a husband or wife has forgiven the other freely, and from the heart.

In your power, all the same. Subject to your will and your demands. No longer free! No! That's a thought I'll never endure! Never.

I'm plotting revolution against this lie that the majority has a monopoly of the truth. What are these truths that always bring the majority rallying round? Truths so elderly they are practically senile. And when a truth is as old as that, gentlemen, you can hardly tell it from a lie.

It's such sport with these heroes of finance: they are like beads on a string — when one slips off, all the rest follow.

Most critical fault-finding, when reduced to its essentials, simply amounts to reproach of the author because he is himself -- thinks, feels, sees, and creates, as himself, instead of seeing and creating in the way the critic would have done.

I am sticking as closely to my subject as I can; for my subject is precisely this, that it is the masses, the majority

Everything I touch seems destined to turn into something mean and farcical.

What's to become of the morally sound? Left out in the cold, I suppose. We must heal the sick.

That is the accursed thing about small surroundings -- they make the soul small.

But a scientific man must live in a little bit of style.

I believe that, before all else, I'm a human being, no less than you.

Helmer: I would gladly work night and day for you. Nora- bear sorrow and want for your sake. But no man would sacrafice his honor for the one he loves. Nora: It is a thing hundreds of thousands of women have done.

An unromantic poem I mean to make, of one who only lives for duty's sake.

There can be no freedom or beauty about a home life that depends on borrowing and debt.

Oh, life would be all right if we didn't have to put up with these damned creditors who keep pestering us with the demands of their ideals.

HELMER; But this is disgraceful. Is this the way you neglect your most sacred duties? NORA: What do you consider is my most sacred duty? HELMER: Do I have to tell you that? Isn't it your duty to your husband and children? NORA:I have another duty, just as sacred. HELMER: You can't have. What duty do you mean? NORA: My duty to myself.

Now I am steel-set: I follow the call to the clear radiance and glow of the heights.

I go to scale the Future's possibilities! Farewell!

The man-at-arms is the only man.

Ive had the best possible chance of learning that what the working-classes really need is to be allowed some part in the direction of public affairs, Doctorto develop their abilities, their understanding and their self-respect.

I hold that man is in the right who is most closely in league with the future.

Ah, I fancy it is just the same with most of what you call your emancipation. You have read yourself into a number of new ideas and opinions. You have got a sort of smattering of recent discoveries in various fields - discoveries that seem to overthrow certain principles which have hitherto been held impregnable and unassailable. But all this has only been a matter of intellect, Miss West - superficial acquisition. It has not passed into your blood.

I believe that before anything else I'm a human being -- just as much as you are... or at any rate I shall try to become one. I know quite well that most people would agree with you, Torvald, and that you have warrant for it in books; but I can't be satisfied any longer with what most people say, and with what's in books. I must think things out for myself and try to understand them.

Mrs LINDE: When you've sold yourself once for the sake of others, you don't do it second time.

Oh, one soon makes friends with invalids; and I need so much to have someone to live for.

It’s a release to know that in spite of everything a premeditated act of courage is still possible.

The younger generation will come knocking at my door.

Whenever I take up a newspaper, I seem to see Ghosts gliding between the lines. There must be Ghosts all the country over, as thick as the sand of the sea.... We are, one and all, so pitifully afraid of the light.

The great task of our time is to blow up all existing institutions to destroy.