Ben-Hur - Forgiveness Amidst Suffering and Conflict
Judah:
Almost at the moment He died, I heard Him say, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.
Esther:
Even then.
Judah:
Even then. And I felt His voice take the sword out of my hand.
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Ben-Hur - Facing Darkness and Embracing Hope
Miriam: [about Jesus]
As though He were carrying in that cross the pain of the world.
Tirzah:
So fearful, and yet why is it I'm not afraid anymore?
Esther: [The sky goes dark while she, Miriam and Tirzah enter the cave]
The shadow of a storm. A strange darkness... but still day.
Miriam:
His life is over.
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Ben-Hur - Longing for Love and Peace
Esther: [hugs Judah]
Oh, Judah. I was afraid you would never come back... afraid of what would happen to you. But I see you again.
Judah:
Your father's waiting for me. Where is he?
Esther: [Judah does not answer]
What do you mean to do? Oh, Judah. Rest, sleep. For a few hours of the night let your mind be at peace.
Judah:
Peace? Love and peace. Do you think I don't long for them as much as you do? Where do you see them?
Esther:
If you had heard this man from Nazareth.
Judah:
Balthasar's word.
Esther:
He is more than Balthasar's word. His voiced traveled with such a still purpose. It was more than a voice. A man more than a man. He said, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
Judah:
Children of God? In that dead valley where we left them? I tell you, every man in Judea is unclean and will stay unclean until we've scoured off our bodies the crust and filth of being at the mercy of tyranny. No other life is possible except to wash this land clean.
Esther:
In blood?
Judah:
Yes, in blood!
Esther:
I know there is a law in life. That blood begets more blood as dog begets dog. Death generates death as the vulture breeds the vulture. But the voice I heard today on the hill said, Love your enemy. Do good to those who spitefully use you.
Judah:
All who are born in this land hereafter can suffer as we have done.
Esther:
As you make us do now! Are we to bear nothing together, even love?
Judah:
I could hardly draw a breath without feeling you in my heart. But I know... that everything I do from this moment... bears greater pain than you have ever suffered. It is better not to love me.
Esther: [Judah looks at her, shocked]
It was Judah Ben-Hur I loved. What has become of him? You seem to be now the very thing you set out to destroy, giving evil for evil. Hatred is turning you to stone. It's as though you had become Messala! I've lost you, Judah.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Ben-Hur - Unspoken Feelings Amidst Wedding Commitments
Judah:
If you were not a bride I would kiss you goodbye
Esther:
If I were not a bride there would be no goodbyes to be said.
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Ben-Hur - Themes of Resilience and Redemption in Ben-Hur
Simonides:
Do not pity me, Master Judah. In fact, I'm twice the man I was. There's Mallet, my other half. We met in the dungeons at the citadel. We were released on the same day, Mallet without a tongue and I without life in my legs. Since then, I have been his tongue and he has been my legs. Together, we make a considerable man.
Sextus:
There's also a wild man in the desert named John the Baptist and a young carpenter's son who goes around doing magic tricks, miracles they call them...This man is different. He teaches that God is near, in every man. It's actually quite profound, some of it.
Esther:
I've seen too much what hate can do. My father is burned up with it. But I've heard of a young rabbi who says that forgiveness is greater and love more powerful than hatred. I believe it.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.