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98 Awesome Quotes By Henrik Ibsen, The Author Of Peer Gynt

Famous As: Norwegian-Danish Playwright and Theatre Director
Born On: March 20, 1828
Died On: May 23, 1906
Born In: Skien, Telemark, Norway
Died At Age: 78

Henrik Johan Ibsen was a 19th century Norwegian playwright, poet and director of plays, who is often regarded as among the greatest playwrights to have ever lived. According to most estimates, Ibsen’s plays are second only to the plays of William Shakespeare in terms of popularity and even to this, plays written by him are staged in different parts of the world. Ibsen’s plays are particularly famous because it introduced the concept of realism in 19th century theatre and is also credited for being among the earliest exponents of Modernism. In fact, he had also been given the epithet ‘the father of realism’. ‘A Doll’s House’ is Ibsen’s most celebrated work and at one point of time; it had been the most performed play on a global scale. Some of his other notable plays which have been staged across the world include Hedda Gabler, When We Dead Awaken, The Master Builder, The Lady From the Sea and An Enemy of the People among others. His plays also traversed certain sides of the moral values of human society that gave rise to controversy in conservative circles but those plays are now considered to be among his great works. Here are some of the selected quotes from the life, times and works of Henrik Ibsen.

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It is the very mark of the spirit of rebellion to crave for happiness in this life

It is the very mark of the spirit of rebellion to crave for happiness in this life

Henrik Ibsen
I don't imagine you will dispute the fact that at present the stupid people are in an absolutely overwhelming majority all the world over.

I don't imagine you will dispute the fact that at present the stupid people are in an absolutely overwhelming majority all the world over.

Henrik Ibsen
A thousand words leave not the same deep impression as does a single deed.

A thousand words leave not the same deep impression as does a single deed.

Henrik Ibsen
To live is to war with trolls.

To live is to war with trolls.

Henrik Ibsen
You see, the point is that the strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone.

You see, the point is that the strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone.

Henrik Ibsen
You have never loved me. You have only thought it pleasant to be in love with me.

You have never loved me. You have only thought it pleasant to be in love with me.

Henrik Ibsen
You see, there are some people that one loves, and others that perhaps one would rather be with.

You see, there are some people that one loves, and others that perhaps one would rather be with.

Henrik Ibsen
I must make up my mind which is right – society or I.

I must make up my mind which is right – society or I.

Henrik Ibsen
I believe that before all else I am a reasonable human being, just as you are--or, at all events, that I must try and become one.

I believe that before all else I am a reasonable human being, just as you are--or, at all events, that I must try and become one.

Henrik Ibsen
What is the difference in being alone with another and being alone by one's self?

What is the difference in being alone with another and being alone by one's self?

Henrik Ibsen
The strongest men are the most alone.

The strongest men are the most alone.

Henrik Ibsen
A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed.

A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed.

Henrik Ibsen
You should never wear your best trousers when you go out to fight for freedom and truth.

You should never wear your best trousers when you go out to fight for freedom and truth.

Henrik Ibsen
But no man would sacrifice his honor for the one he loves.

But no man would sacrifice his honor for the one he loves." "It is a thing hundreds of thousands of women have done.

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

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

Henrik Ibsen
NORA: I must stand on my own two feet if I'm to get to know myself and the world outside. That's why I can't stay here with you any longer.

NORA: I must stand on my own two feet if I'm to get to know myself and the world outside. That's why I can't stay here with you any longer.

Henrik Ibsen
The most dangerous enemy of the truth and freedom amongst us is the compact majority

The most dangerous enemy of the truth and freedom amongst us is the compact majority

Henrik Ibsen
Public opinion is an extremely mutable thing

Public opinion is an extremely mutable thing

Henrik Ibsen
Don't use that exotic word

Don't use that exotic word "ideals". We have a good enough native word: "lies".

Henrik Ibsen
With me you could have been another person.

With me you could have been another person.

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

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

Henrik Ibsen
To live is to war with trolls in heart and woul.
To write is to sit in judgement on oneself.

To live is to war with trolls in heart and woul. To write is to sit in judgement on oneself.

Henrik Ibsen
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.

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.

Henrik Ibsen
A party is like a sausage machine, it grinds up all sorts of heads together into the same baloney ...

A party is like a sausage machine, it grinds up all sorts of heads together into the same baloney ...

Henrik Ibsen
Rob the average man of his life-illusion, and you rob him of his happiness at the same stroke.

Rob the average man of his life-illusion, and you rob him of his happiness at the same stroke.

Henrik Ibsen
It's a liberation to know that an act of spontaneous courage is yet possible in this world. An act that has something of unconditional beauty.

It's a liberation to know that an act of spontaneous courage is yet possible in this world. An act that has something of unconditional beauty.

Henrik Ibsen
Cage an eagle and it will bite at the wires, be they of
iron or of gold.

Cage an eagle and it will bite at the wires, be they of iron or of gold.

Henrik Ibsen
I am in revolt against the age-old lie that the majority is always right.

I am in revolt against the age-old lie that the majority is always right.

Henrik Ibsen
There is so much falsehood both at home and at school. At home one must not speak, and at school we have to stand and tell lies to the children.

There is so much falsehood both at home and at school. At home one must not speak, and at school we have to stand and tell lies to the children.

Henrik Ibsen
To live is - to war with trolls 
In the holds of the heart and mind

To live is - to war with trolls In the holds of the heart and mind

Henrik Ibsen