From: Spider-Man (2002)
Genre: Movies
Who said it?: Norman Osborn/Green Goblin
The story behind the quote: The Spider-Man film that was released in 2002 was both a critical and financial hit. And it came at a very opportune time since it was released at a time when superhero films were hitting a slump in terms of ticket sales.
The film tells the story of Peter Parker and how he was given the abilities of a spider, enabling him to become the superhero known as Spider-man. However, his best friend’s father, Norman Osborn, performs an experiment on himself and, while it does give him enhanced strength, speed and agility, it also drive Osborn mad and takes on the guise of the Green Goblin.
In his quest to destroy Spider-man, the Green Goblin kidnaps Peter’s girlfriend, Mary Jane Watson and a cable car full of children. The Green Goblin threatens to drop them both from the top of the Queensboro Bridge and says Spider-man must have to choose who to save. While Spider-man pleads for the villain to not go through with it, the Goblin delivers the quote and releases them.
(Sorry for the obviously poor quality of the clip; it was the only one I could find online.)
Geek wisdom: The quote is pretty ironic since this doesn’t only apply to Spider-man, but also to the Green Goblin. Norman Osborn actually had the choice to become a force for good but he decided to take the darker path. Spider-man, while he initially used his new powers selfishly, he changed his ways because of his Uncle Ben’s death… which he could have saved earlier.
Even though it may seem that fate might push us to do bad, we always have the choice to do the right thing.
My Geek Wisdom 
Like you said, the serum drove the scientist mad. He is not in a right/normal mindset. Is Norman Osborn (a strong willed man who created a scientific empire) making the decisions or is someone more sinister making those decisions? Someone more sinister is controlling him from time to time; it is not Norman making the decisions… It is not “ironic”, as you put it. Why is it not ironic? The Green Goblin says “We”. Your whole “greek wisdom” section is about how Norman thinks he did not have a choice (or doesn’t include himself in the quote), but it is clear that the Green Goblin considers himself in his own words/quote. He knows that Spiderman chose the side of good; he (the Green Goblin) also knows that the he, or Norman Osborn if you want to see it that way, chose the side of power/evil.
My main point being this – The quote is not ironic. The Green Goblin, the person who said the quote, includes himself in the judgement of his own words (he just has no problem with being evil).