Old Lorenz Lowenhielm Quotes in Babette's Feast (1987)

Old Lorenz Lowenhielm: Mercy and truth have met together. Righteousness and bliss shall kiss one another. Man, in his weakness and shortsightedness believes he must make choices in this life. He trembles at the risks he takes. We do know fear. But no. Our choice is of no importance. There comes a time when our eyes are opened and we come to realize that mercy is infinite. We need only await it with confidence and receive it with gratitude. Mercy imposes no conditions. And lo! Everything we have chosen has been granted to us. And everything we rejected has also been granted. Yes, we even get back what we rejected. For mercy and truth have met together, and righteousness and bliss shall kiss one another.

Old Lorenz Lowenhielm: Could many years of victories result in defeat?

Old Lorenz Lowenhielm: [last words to Martina] I have been with you every day of my life. Tell me you know that.

Old Martina: Yes, I know it.

Old Lorenz Lowenhielm: You must also know that I shall be with you every day that is granted to me from now on. Every evening I shall sit down to dine with you. Not with my body, which is of no importance, but with my soul. Because this evening I have learned, my dear, that in this beautiful world of ours, all things are possible.

Old Lorenz Lowenhielm: [looking at himself in a mirror] Vanity. Vanity. All is vanity.