Henrik Ibsen Quotes
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Before I write down one word, I have to have the character in my mind through and through. I must penetrate into the last wrinkle of his soul.
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It is not for a care-free existence I am fighting, but for the possibility of devoting myself to the task which I believe and know has been laid upon me by God -- the work which seems to me more important and needful in Norway than any other, that of arousing the nation and leading it to think great thoughts.
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I have other duties equally sacred ... Duties to myself.
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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.
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What ought a man be? Well, my short answer is 'himself'.
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There can be no freedom or beauty about a home life that depends on borrowing and debt.
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Oh, law and order! I often think it is that that is at the bottom of all the misery in the world.
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I believe that, before all else, I'm a human being, no less than you.
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Castles in the air - they are so easy to take refuge in. And so easy to build too.
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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.
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What is the difference in being alone with another and being alone by one's self?
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So to conduct one's life as to realize oneself-this seems to me the highest attainment possible to a human being. It is the task of one and all of us, but most of us bungle it.
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The majority is never right. Never, I tell you! That's one of these lies in society that no free and intelligent man can help rebelling against. Who are the people that make up the biggest proportion of the population -- the intelligent ones or the fools?
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The most dangerous enemy of the truth and freedom amongst us is the compact majority.
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The starving poet business is no good nowadays.
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Everything that I have written is closely related to something that I have lived through.
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Marriage! Nothing else demands so much of a man.
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Oh yes, right—right. What is the use of having right on your side if you have not got might?
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You don't get nothing for nothing in this life.