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.
Judah Ben-Hur
Charlton Heston · 15 quotes
Messala
Stephen Boyd · 6 quotes
Esther
Haya Harareet · 5 quotes
Quintus Arrius
Jack Hawkins · 5 quotes
Sheik Ilderim
3 quotes
Most scenes together: Judah Ben-Hur & Esther (3), Judah Ben-Hur & Quintus Arrius (3), Judah Ben-Hur & Messala (2)
Ben-Hur quotes
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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.
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.
Not long ago, I returned to Rome... with a young man who had saved my life. You all know him as the finest charioteer in Rome. Five times, he's driven my horses to victory. I know him as one who stands in the place of the son I lost. I have the love and pride in a son's achievements... which I thought I should never have again. [calls Judah to appear before the crowd] Nothing could make stronger our bond... but tonight I wish to share it with you all. The formalities of adoption have been completed. Young Arrius is now the legal bearer of my name... and the heir to my property. This ring of my ancestors... would have gone to my son. So now it is yours.
[Judah puts the ring on his finger and the crowd cheers]
It's a strange destiny that brought me to a new life... a new home... a new father. It brought me here. It may take me away. But wherever I may be... I shall always try to wear this ring as a son of Arrius should. With gratitude and affection... and with honor.
[The crowd cheers again]
You're leaving.
I must.
It's a journey I can't keep you from. Your eyes have never left it all these months. I can recognize pain. But still, my counsel is to wait. Gratus is to be replaced. The governorship goes to Pontius Pilate.
When?
Very soon. It's very much to our purpose.
Nothing is to the purpose if, when I come back to Judea, I come too late. That is the thought which has punished me every moment I've spent here.
Will Rome see you again?
Here is a part of my life which you have made for me. I shall remember it.
Whoever the gods are, they take small interest in an old man's hopes.
They have their way.
This is where your search has brought you, Balthasar. He gave me water... and a heart to live. What has He done to merit this?
Balthasar He has taken the world of our sins onto Himself. To this end He said He was born, in that stable, where I first saw Him. For this cause, He came into the world.
For this death?
Balthasar For this beginning.
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?
[Thunder sounds]
The shadow of a storm. [The sky goes dark while she, Miriam and Tirzah enter the cave] A strange darkness... but still day.
Miriam [Thunder sounds louder]
His life is over.
What is your name, Forty-One?
Judah Ben-Hur... Let me die.
[repeating Arrius' words on board the galleys]
We keep you alive to serve this ship. Row well and live.
'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.'
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.
In blood?
Yes, in blood.
I know there is a law in life. That blood begets more blood as dog begets dog. Death generates death. The vulture breeds the vulture. But the voice I heard on the hill today said, 'Love your enemy. Do good to those who spitefully use you.'
All who are born in this land hereafter can suffer as we have done.
As you make us do now! Are we to bear nothing together, even love?
I could hardly draw a breath without feeling you in my heart. Everything I do from this moment will be as great a pain to you as you have ever suffered. It is better not to love me!
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.
Almost at the moment He died, I heard Him say, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."
Even then.
Even then. And I felt His voice take the sword out of my hand.
I have just come from the Valley of Stone. My mother and sister live what's left of their lives. By Rome's will, lepers, outcasts without hope...Their flesh...carries Rome's mark...the deed was not Messala's. I knew him, well, before the cruelty of Rome spread in his blood. Rome destroyed Messala as surely as Rome has destroyed my family.
Pontius Pilate
Where there is greatness, great government or power, even great feeling or compassion, error also is great. We've progressed and matured by fault. But Rome has said she is ready to join your life to hers in a great future...not to crucify yourself on a shadow such as old resentment or impossible loyalties. Perfect freedom has no existence. The grown man knows the world he lives in, and for the present, the world is Rome.
I am Judah Ben-Hur.
Pontius Pilate
I become the hand of Caesar, ready to crush all those who challenge his authority. There are too many small men of envy and ambition who try to disrupt the government of Rome. You have become the victor and hero for these people. They look to you, their one true god as I called you. If you stay here, you will find yourself part of this tragedy.
I'm already part of this tragedy.
I would do anything for you, Messala... except betray my own people.
In the name of all the gods, Judah, what do the lives of a few Jews mean to you?
If I cannot persuade them, that does not mean I will help you... murder them. Besides, you must understand this, Messala. I believe in the past of my people, and in their future.
Future? You are a conquered people.
You may conquer the land; you may slaughter the people. But that is not the end; we will rise again.
You live on dead dreams; you live on the myths of the past. The glory of Solomon is gone and you think it will return?. Joshua will not rise again to save you nor David. There is only one reality in the world today. Look to the West, Judah! Don't be a fool, look to Rome!
I would rather be a fool than a traitor... or a killer!
I am a soldier!
Yes! Who kills! For Rome! And Rome is evil!
I warn you...
No! I warn you! Rome is an affront to God! Rome is strangling my people and my country, the whole Earth! But not forever. And I tell you the day Rome falls there will be a shout of freedom such as the world has never heard before!
Judah, either you help me or you oppose me, you have no other choice. You're either for me or against me!
If that is the choice, then I am against you.
If you were not a bride I would kiss you goodbye
If I were not a bride there would be no goodbyes to be said.
Triumph complete, Judah. The race won. The enemy destroyed.
I see no enemy.
What do you think you see? The smashed body of a wretched animal! Is enough of a man still left here for you to hate? Let me help you...You think they're dead. Your mother and sister. Dead. And the race over. It isn't over, Judah. They're not dead.
Where are they? Where are they? Where are they?
Look for them in the Valley of the Lepers, if you can recognize them. It goes on. It goes on, Judah. The race, the race is not over.
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 any more.