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

It was then that I began to look into the seams of your doctrine. I wanted only to pick at a single knot; but when I had got that undone, the whole thing raveled out. And then I understood that it was all machine-sewn.

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.

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

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

Almost everyone who has gone to the bad early in life has had a deceitful mother.

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.