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If I cannot be myself in what I write, then the whole is nothing but lies and humbug.
HENRIK IBSEN, letter to Björnstjerne Björnson, Sept. 12, 1865
There are two kinds of spiritual law, two kinds of conscience, one in man and another, altogether different, in woman. They do not understand each other; but in practical life the woman is judged by man's law, as though she were not a woman but a man.
HENRIK IBSEN, From Ibsen's Workshop
Writing has ... been to me like a bath from which I have risen feeling cleaner, healthier, and freer.
HENRIK IBSEN, Speeches and New Letters
Really to sin you have to be serious about it.
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?
HENRIK IBSEN, An Enemy of the People
Home life ceases to be free and beautiful as soon as it is founded on borrowing and debt.
HENRIK IBSEN, A Doll's House
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.
Never wear your best trousers when you go out to fight for freedom and truth.
HENRIK IBSEN, An Enemy of the People
I have not yet come to an understanding with ancient art; I cannot make out its connection with our own time ... nor can I yet help often seeing only conventions where others maintain that there are enduring laws.
HENRIK IBSEN, letter to Björnstjerne Björnson, Sept. 16, 1864
The Minority is always right.
HENRIK IBSEN, An Enemy of the People
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.
To live is to war with trolls.
A woman cannot be herself in the society of the present day, which is an exclusively masculine society, with laws framed by men and with a judicial system that judges feminine conduct from a masculine point of view.
HENRIK IBSEN, From Ibsen's Workshop
It is inexcusable for scientists to torture animals; let them make their experiments on journalists and politicians.
The strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone.
HENRIK IBSEN, An Enemy of the People
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