cultural resources in henrik ibsen's early environment - Ibsen.net

III. Ibsen’s Practice Essays in Norwegian Composition.
The following translations are based on the texts in Henrik Ibsens Samlede Verker. Vol.
15: Artikler og Taler. Ved Francis Bull, Halvdan Koht, Didrik Arup Seip. Oslo:
Gyldendal, 1930, 21-27.
Pp. 21 ff.:
1. On the Importance of Self-Knowledge.
Among all the branches of thought, the investigation of the nature of our own
being is perhaps the one in which the greatest attentiveness and impartiality are necessary,
in order to arrive at that which is the aim of every investigation, namely truth. Self-
knowledge presupposes the most accurate attention to ourselves, our inclinations, and our
actions, and only as the results such observation is it possible for the person to attain to a
clear and correct realization of the nature of his own character.
How important this knowledge is for us is already evident from its name, self-
knowledge, knowledge about oneself, and it must be of the greatest importance to the
person to acquire this, since every one of our undertakings requires its assistance all-too-
much, until it can be dispensed with without harm.
According to the different purposes to which the person makes use of his self-
knowlege, its importance can be said to show itself mainly in two directions, namely:
other people.
1. with respect to our soul's further education and development, and next
2. with regard to our material well-being, our undertakings and our relationship to
As far as the first point is concerned, then, it is obvious that the person necessarily
must possess an adequate knowledge of himself, if favorable progress in the suggested
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