34 quotes
Norwegian playwright and theatre director (1828–1906)
“The spirit of truth and the spirit of freedom - these are the pillars of society.”
"Home life ceases to be free and beautiful as soon as it is founded on borrowing and debt."
on Life
"The strongest man is the one who stands most alone."
on Courage
"The sea possesses a power over one's moods that has the effect of a will. The sea can hypnotize. Nature in general can do so."
on Nature
"A forest bird never wants a cage."
on Freedom
"The spectacles of experience through them you will see clearly a second time."
on Wisdom
"The pillars of truth and the pillars of freedom - they are the pillars of society."
on Truth
"Never wear your best trousers when you go out to fight for freedom and truth."
"The worst enemy of truth and freedom in our society is the compact majority."
"Marriage! Nothing else demands so much of a man."
on Relationships
"What's a man's first duty? The answer is brief: To be himself."
on Identity
"The strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone."
"A thousand words leave not the same deep impression as does a single deed."
"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."
on Philosophy
"The right? Ah, what does it help to be in the right if you don't have any power?"
on Power
"I am in revolt against the age-old lie that the majority is always right."
"Most people are ennobled by the actual presence of death. But how long do you suppose this nobility will last in him?"
on Death
"A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed."
"It is the very mark of the spirit of rebellion to crave for happiness in this life"
on Happiness
"To live is to war with trolls."
on Mental Health
"A minority may be right and a majority is always wrong."
