Month: December 2023

“Not everyone can become a great artist. But a great artist can come from anywhere.”

From: Ratatouille

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Anton Ego

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Pixar animated film, Ratatouille. The film is about a rat named Remy (voiced by Patton Oswald) who loves fine dining and learns to become a great cook, thanks to watching his favorite chef, Chef Gusteau (voiced by Brad Garrett). He then accidentally becomes partners with a young man named Linguini, the son of Gusteau, and together they try to become one of the greatest chefs in all of France.

The quote comes from the very end of the film. Food critic Anton Ego (voiced by Peter O’Toole). After eating Remy dish, he writes his review regarding what a great meal it was. However, the mere fact it was created by a rat makes him reconsider who could be a great chef. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We may not have all the opportunities we want but we have to make do with the ones that we have. Never sell yourself short just because you come from a not-so well-to-do upbringing.

“If this is your idea of Christmas, I gotta be here for New Year’s!”

From: Die Hard

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Argyle

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the “Christmas” movie, Die Hard. The film was a surprise hit and launched Bruce Willis into stardom.

The quote comes from the end of the film. As John McClaine (played by Bruce Willis) and his estranged wife, Holly (played by Bonnie Bedelia) into their rented limo. Their driver, Argyle (played by De’voreaux White), closes the door and delivers the quote, commenting on all the chaos that occurred throughout the film.

Geek wisdom:  Every family have their own unique Christmas traditions. Some may seem very similar but some may feel outlandish. However, it would be a bad idea to simply dismiss the “outlandish” traditions. Rather, try to experience them for yourself. You never know; you might try to adapt them to your own.

“He reminds me of me, before the weight of the world crushed my spirit.”

From: The Simpsons

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Homer Simpson

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the longest running animated series in the United States, The Simpsons. The show has been on for 29 straight seasons and counting and is a general smorgasbord for quotes.

The quote comes from the 3rd season episode, entitled “Saturdays of Thunder.” In the episode, Bart Simpson tries to build a soap box racer and his father, Homer, tries to help him out. Although the car they build is of shoddy workmanship, Homer feels much closer to his son because of all the time they’ve been spending. At bed, Homer contemplates with Marge about how Bart is much like him when he was much younger.

Geek wisdom: As we get older, we do lose our childlike innocence as we do know the world isn’t as good a place as we think it is when we’re younger. The responsibilities of adulthood does make us yearn for a time when we didn’t have anything to think about. Unfortunately, a part of life is growing up and facing up to the duties of being an adult, which can be soul crushing. But, at the same time, we have to realize, now that we’re older, we have so much more control of our lives, which is something we didn’t have when we were kids. It’s a give and take situation.

“Either ten slaps right now in a row. Or five slaps that can be doled out at any point from here to eternity.”

From: How I Met Your Mother

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Lily Aldrin

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the hit CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother (abbreviated as HIMYM). The premise of the series is that the narrator, the future Ted Mosby, is telling his children the story of how he met their mother. However, he just doesn’t tell them the story about how they met (that would be a very short sitcom). Rather, he sits them down and relates the events in his life that led to him meeting his mother. Ted says it’s important to tell them all of that since, because of everything he went through, he became the man their mother fell in love with.

Anyway, the quote comes from the episode “Slap Bet.” Barney Stinson makes a bet with Marshall regarding why Robin hates going to the mall. Barney thinks it’s because Robin has done adult videos in the past. When Barney finds a video, thinking it proves him correct, he slaps Marshall. However, Robin continues playing the video, showing she was actually ashamed of being a Canadian teen pop star known as Robin Sparkles and, because of her hit song “Let’s Go To The Mall” and having to tour various malls, she hates going to those kinds of places.

Lily (played by Alyson Hannigan) chastises Barney for prematurely slapping Marshall before confirming the result. As punishment, Lily delivers the quote and, strangely, Barney thinks the former is the better deal.

Geek wisdom: Always think of the circumstances before making a decision. While five slaps is less than ten, the idea of five slaps until the end of time is generally much worse than receiving ten slaps in succession. At least, with the latter, it’s over quickly. Basically, look before you leap.

“Logic is the beginning of wisdom. Not the end.”

From: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

Genre: Movies/ Television

Who said it?: Spock

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the sixth film of the Star Trek, The Original Series, franchise of films. Entitled The Undiscovered Country, the film has the crew of the Enterprise trying to find a traitor in the Federation who wishes to prevent the Klingons from joining after their home planet was destroyed.

The quote comes near the start of the movie. Captain Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) talks to Valeris (played by Kim Cattrall), who is training her to be his apprentice. Valeris mentions that the Klingons is a landmark moment of history and Spock mentions that history is filled with these moments and she should have faith that the universe will make sure everything turns out right. Valeris starts to rebuke this idea but Spock interrupts and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Logic is basically the data we’ve accrued and then we use this information to make an informed decision. However, wisdom is knowing that the information you may have gathered may not be the whole story. Wisdom is knowing that there may be more underlying all the information.