Our greatest leaders are neither dreamers nor dictators: They are, like Jefferson, those who articulate national aspirations yet master the mechanics of influence and know when to depart from dogma. Jefferson had a remarkable capacity to marshal idea...
If Jesus had been an actual historical figure we have a thorny paradox. Either this Jesus was a remarkable individual who said and did a host of amazing, revolutionary things – but no one outside his fringe cult noticed for over a century. Or he di...
John Blake: Not a lot of people know what it feels like to be angry, in your bones. I mean, they understand, foster parents, everybody understands, for awhile. Then they want the angry little kid to do something he knows he can't do, move on. So afte...
Airport Lot Attendant: There's a minimum charge of four dollars. Long-term parking charges by the day. Carl Showalter: I guess you think you're... you know, like an authority figure, with that stupid fuckin' uniform, huh buddy? King clip-on-tie there...
Olivia: Honey, I asked you to get the metal wheel out of the hamster cage. Sam: [gasps] I forgot! Olivia: [holding up a dead hamster] Well, you forgot and now Jelly's dead. Luckily I got Peanut Butter out in time. [to Andrew] Olivia: We have to get t...
Humbert Humbert: [Referring to Quilty] What happened to this Oriental-minded genius? When you left the hospital, where did he take you? Lolita Haze: To New Mexico. Humbert Humbert: Whereabouts in New Mexico? Lolita Haze: To a dude ranch near Santa Fe...
Sergeant McCaskey: You know, Roger, you are way behind the times. The guys of the 80s aren't tough. They are sensitive people. Show a little emotion to a woman and shit like that. I think I'm an '80s man... Roger Murtaugh: How do you figure? Sergeant...
Colonel Blake: [to Spearchucker Jones at the football practice] I had another idea. I think we should have some plays. You know, usually in football you have some organized plays... Spearchucker: If you don't mind, I took the liberty. Colonel Blake: ...
[In 1968, Noodles meets a familiar figure in heavy make-up... ] Noodles: Hello, Deborah. [For a long time, Deborah is silent and still] Noodles: Aren't you gonna say anything? Deborah Gelly: What is someone supposed to say after... after more than th...
Pete: Wait a minute. Who elected you leader of this outfit? Ulysses Everett McGill: Well Pete, I figured it should be the one with the capacity for abstract thought. But if that ain't the consensus view, then hell, let's put it to a vote. Pete: Suits...
[first lines] [a telephone rings loudly] Personnel Officer: [to the dispatcher] Harry, answer that. [to Travis] Personnel Officer: So whaddya want to hack for, Bickle? Travis Bickle: I can't sleep nights. Personnel Officer: There's porno theaters for...
[last lines] Sykes: I Didn't expect to find you here. Deke Thornton: Why not? I sent them back; That's all I said I'd do. Sykes: They didn't get very far. Deke Thornton: I figured. Sykes: What are your plans, now? Deke Thornton: Drift around down her...
Dutch Engstrom: What's our next move? Pike Bishop: Well, I figure Agua Verde's the closest... three days maybe. Then get the news and drift back to the border. Maybe a payroll, maybe a bank. Dutch Engstrom: Maybe that damn railroad. Tector Gorch: Tha...
Dallas: Well... some of you may have figured out we're not home yet, we're only half way there. Mother's interrupted the course of our journey. She's programmed to do that should certain conditions arise. They have. It seems that she has... intercept...
Real Harvey: [the real Harvey Pekar introduces his on-screen character] OK. This guy here, he's our man, all grown up and going nowhere. Although he's a pretty scholarly cat, he never got much of a formal education. For the most part, he's lived in s...
Butch Cassidy: Well, the way I figure it, we can either fight or give. If we give, we go to jail. Sundance Kid: I've been there already. Butch Cassidy: We could fight - they'll stay right where they are and starve us out. Or go for position, shoot us...
I was a really good waitress. Waitressing takes a certain gusto. You need a good memory and an ability to connect with people fast. You have to learn how to treat the kitchen as well as you treat the customers. You have to figure out which crazy peop...
For I do not want any one to read my book carelessly. I have suffered too much grief in setting down these memories. Six years have already passed since my friend went away from me, with his sheep. If I try to describe him here, it is to make sure th...
Sometimes we mistake patience for weakness, but the patient person often realizes that it's much more important for another person to discover his or her own gifts and shortcomings--the patient person doesn't feel a need to "fix" other people, and so...
I wished for you," he whispered, so quietly that I struggled to hear. "What did that feel like? I've never made a wish in my life." My voice was as shaky as my words were stupid. "Everybody wishes for something, Charli." I put just enough space betwe...
At the funeral everyone was in shambles, a sob fest of tears. It was the first time I saw my dad crying, he tried to contain himself throughout the service but came the part of the ritual when the bishop went ashes to ashes and dust to dust my father...
