Many scholars forget, it seems to me, that our enjoyment of the great works of literature depends more upon the depth of our sympathy than upon our understanding. The trouble is that very few of their laborious explanations stick in the memory. The m...
A writer out of loneliness is trying to communicate like a distant star sending signals. He isn't telling, or teaching, or ordering. Rather, he seeks to establish a relationship with meaning, of feeling, of observing. We are lonesome animals. We spen...
[On Kane finishing Leland's bad review of Susan's opera singing] Mr. Bernstein: Everybody knows that story, Mr. Leland. But why did he do it? How could a man write a notice like that? Jedediah Leland: You just don't know Charlie. He thought that by f...
Jim Braddock: Max, my wife Mae. Max Baer: You are far too pretty to be a widow. Jim Braddock: That's not nice, Max. Not nice. Come on. [starts to leave] Max Baer: On second thought, maybe I can comfort you after he's gone. Joe Gould: Hey, I said shut...
Prison Chaplain: Choice! The boy has not a real choice, has he? Self-interest, the fear of physical pain drove him to that grotesque act of self-abasement. The insincerity was clear to be seen. He ceases to be a wrongdoer. He ceases also to be a crea...
[from the director's cut] Mr. Hand: We're very lucky when you think about it. Emma Murdoch: I'm sorry? Mr. Hand: To be able to revisit those places which have meant so very much to us. Emma Murdoch: I thought it was more that we were haunted by them....
Col. Rodin: Will you do it? The Jackal: Yes. Montclair: How much? The Jackal: You must understand that this is a once-in-a-lifetime job, whoever does it can never work again... Montclair: How much do you want? The Jackal: Half a million. Montclair: W...
Frank Costello: [talking about Costigan] Do you trust him? Mr. French: Well these days, who's reliable? Frank Costello: His uncle Jackie was. Yeah, you can't trust a guy acts like he's got nothing to lose. Mr. French: I'm reliable. Frank Costello: Ar...
[last lines] Traudl Junge: All these horrors I've heard of during the Nurnberg process, these six million Jews, other thinking people or people of another race, who perished. That shocked me deeply. But I hadn't made the connection with my past. I as...
Korben Dallas: [Leans down and kisses Leeloo. Leeloo swipes his gun and holds it to his head] Korben Dallas: You're right, you're right, I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry. Leeloo: Senno ecto gammat! Korben Dallas: I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Leeloo: ec...
Nurse: I'd thought you'd be happy for Miz. Threadgood. Evelyn Couch: [Crying and very upset] Happy? Cuz she's dead? Nurse: No that she gets to go home. She just left in a yellow cab. Evelyn Couch: [Looking VERY confused] I don't understand... Nurse: ...
Hendley: Right. Bartlett: Dennis, maps and surveys. Colin, you'll take your usual job. Eric, have you thought how you're going to get rid of this dirt? Ashley-Pitt: Yes, I have. The usual places. I hadn't anticipated three tunnels, but we'll manage. ...
Steve Dunham: I thought you were going to the match. Pete Dunham: Well, technically, yes. But, what happened was me and the boys got in a bit of a drinking session last night. One thing lead to another... Steve Dunham: Let me guess. You've lost your ...
Enid: [about Seymour's garage sale] It was so cute how he had his own little bags. I thought I was going to start crying. Rebecca: Yeah, he should totally just kill himself. [she looks through the classified ads in a newpaper] Rebecca: Oh, here's one...
[Bob and Lucius are rescuing people from a burning building] Bob: Can't you put this out? Lucius: I can't lay down a layer thick enough. It's evaporating too fast! Bob: What's that mean? Lucius: It means it's hot! And I'm dehydrated, Bob! Bob: You're...
[first lines] Narrator: At exactly 3:45 on that Saturday afternoon in the last week of September, Marvin Unger was, perhaps, the only one among the hundred thousand people at the track who felt no thrill at the running of the fifth race. He was total...
Oogway: [walking towards Po] Ah! I see that you have found the Sacred Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom! Po: [Po turns around with a lot of peaches stuffed in his mouth] Is that what this is? I'm so sorry! I just thought it was a regular peach tree! Oogw...
Po: But dad, didn't you ever, I don't know, want to do something else? Something besides noodles? Mr. Ping: Actually, when I was young and crazy, I thought about running away and learning how to make tofu. Po: So why didn't you? Mr. Ping: Oh, because...
Frank T.J. Mackey: Respect the cock! And tame the cunt! Tame it! Take it on headfirst with the skills that I will teach you at work and say no! You will not control me! No! You will not take my soul! No! You will not win this game! Because it's a gam...
John Anderton: [to Agatha] Everyday for the last six years I've thought of only two things. The first is what Sean would look like if he were alive today, if I would recognize him if I saw him on the street, the second is what I would do to the man w...
[Chris and Vin enter their room, to see Lee sitting there, waiting] Lee: Remember me? Chris Adams: Yup. Lee: You need men for a job in Mexico? How long? Chris Adams: Four, maybe six weeks. Lee: That ought to do it. How much does the job pay? Chris Ad...
