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The man whom God wills to slay in the struggle of life - he first individualizes.
Henrik Ibsen
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote suggests that those destined for significant challenges or downfall must first stand out as individuals.

Ibsen's quote reflects the idea that a person marked for adversity or conflict in life must first carve out their unique identity or perspective. It implies that individualism can lead to both empowerment and vulnerability, as one may attract challenges by standing apart from the crowd. This can be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of struggle in life, where defining oneself can either fortify or jeopardize one's position in the world.

Themes

StruggleIndividualismIdentityAdversityLife Challenges

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used in motivational speeches to encourage individuals to embrace their uniqueness, especially when facing challenges.

More from Henrik Ibsen

Labor and trouble one can always get through alone, but it takes two to be glad.
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The majority never has right on its side. Never, I say! That is one of these social lies against which an independent, intelligent men must wage war. Who is it that constitute the majority of the population in a country? Is it the clever folk, or the stupid? 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.
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I believe that before anything else I'm a human being -- just as much as you are... or at any rate I shall try to become one. I know quite well that most people would agree with you, Torvald, and that you have warrant for it in books; but I can't be satisfied any longer with what most people say, and with what's in books. I must think things out for myself and try to understand them.
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Ah, I fancy it is just the same with most of what you call your emancipation. You have read yourself into a number of new ideas and opinions. You have got a sort of smattering of recent discoveries in various fields - discoveries that seem to overthrow certain principles which have hitherto been held impregnable and unassailable. But all this has only been a matter of intellect, Miss West - superficial acquisition. It has not passed into your blood.
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One should never put on one's best trousers to go out to fight for freedom.
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It is inexcusable for scientists to torture animals; let them make their experiments on journalists and politicians.
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