Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/386

 Rörlund.

In the great nations? No, I daresay not. In those corrupt and unscrupulous communities

Bernick.

Oh, those communities have their good points too.

Rörlund.

Can you say that—you, who yourself?

Bernick.

In the great nations one has at least elbow-room for useful enterprise. There, men have the courage to sacrifice something for a great cause. But here, one is hampered by all sorts of petty considerations.

Rörlund.

Is a human life a petty consideration?

Bernick.

When that human life is a menace to the welfare of thousands.

Rörlund.

But you are putting quite inconceivable cases, Consul! I don't understand you to-day. And then you refer me to the great communities. Yes, there—what does a human life count for there? They think no more of staking life than of staking capital. But we, I hope, look at things from an entirely different moral standpoint. Think of our exemplary shipowners! Name me a single merchant here among us who, for the sake of paltry profit, would sacrifice one human life! And then think of those scoundrels in the great communities who enrich themselves by sending out one unseaworthy ship after another