Victor de la Cruz

“The hardest choices require the strongest of wills.”

From: Avengers: Infinity War

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Thanos

The story behind the quote: While I have touched upon a lot of quotes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the past, this is the first quote from a villian. Avengers: Infinity War focuses on Thanos (played by Josh Brolin) and his quest to gather the Infinity Stones to fulfill his plan to eliminate half the galaxy’s population to prevent suffering from a lack of resources. The Avengers stumble upon the plot and try to stop him.

The quote comes from the third act of the film. Thanos arrives on Titan to retrieve the Time Stone from Doctor Strange (played by Benedict Cumberbatch). Thanos explains to Doctor Strange how his planet used to be glorious but his plan to half his world’s population to prevent its annihilation was scoffed at. He then explains how, after he achieves his plan to do it on a universal scale, he’ll finally rest. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, it feels so much easier to just quit when the going gets tough. However, only the people with really strong willpower will push though when the going gets tough.

“Good men mean well. We just don’t always end up doing well.”

From: Dead Space 3

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Isaac Clarke

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the third game in the Dead Space survival horror franchise. The games are set in the future where alien artifacts called Markers emit a kind of electromagnetic frequency which can cause hallucinations and cause the dead to come back as monsters.

The quote comes near the end of the game. Isaac Clarke, the survivor of the first game, and soldier John Carver reach the Machine that they believe can be used to stop an event known as the Convergence. Carver then tells Clarke to finish the mission no matter what happens to him. Carver believes that by getting them this far, he’s made up for his sins and is ready to die. This is when Isaac Clarke tries to reassure his comrade he’s still a good man by delivering the quote

Geek wisdom: Even the people who mean well will make mistakes. We are all human after all. We shouldn’t condemn others and ourselves for the things we’ve done in the past. It’s what we do afterwards that should count.

“People keep asking me if I’m back. And I really haven’t had an answer. But now, yeah, I’m thinking I’m back!”

From: John Wick

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: John Wick

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the first film of the John Wick franchise. The film series follows the titular character, John Wick (played by Keanu Reeves), as a retired hitman who returns to his killing ways after some thugs kill his dog, which was the last thing his late wife gifted him before she passed. The film launched a franchise and, despite the original’s general low-budget, became a huge box-office sensation.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. John Wick is captured by Viggo Tarasov, the father of the person who killed John Wick’s dog. Viggo is upset at all the carnage John had done and he thinks it’s all because of a dog. John Wick then explains why the dog is special to him. This is when John Wick says he’s probably back to being the feared assassin by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: Even people who have changed their ways can be pushed over the edge. So it’s always best to try to treat people with basic courtesy and kindness.

“Who the fuck starts a conversation like that? I just sat down!”

From: Family Guy

Genre: Television, Cartoons

Who said it?: Peter Griffin

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the extremely popular cartoon Family Guy. Fun fact: the show was initially cancelled after three seasons due to poor ratings. However, after the show started being aired on Cartoon Network and DVD sales went through the roof, Fox quickly pushed through with a new season… four years after it was initially cancelled.

The quote comes from the episode Tea Peter, the 21th episode of the 10th season. After his business is closed down for not having a business permit, Peter Griffin (voiced by show creator Seth Macfarlane) visits his regular bar to meet his friend, Glenn Quagmire (also voiced by Seth Macfarlane). Quagmire then asks Peter about if he accidentally gets aroused by younger pictures of his mother. This is when Peter delivers the quote in question.

Geek wisdom: While there is something to be said about getting straight to the point, there are always going to be topics you should ease into or just not talk about altogether.

“I did absolutely nothing. And it was everything I thought it could be.”

From: Office Space

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Peter Gibbons

The story behind the quote: Office Space is a cult classic movie from Mike Judge, the creator of Beavis and Butt-head. The story generally focuses of a group of frustrated office workers who work for Initech, a software company. Peter Gibbons, a rather meek person, gets hypnotized to a state of complete relaxation. Even though he openly shows his distaste for working at Initech due to being hypnotized, he’s the one that gets to keep his job while his friends get downsized.

The quote comes near the start of the film when Peter Gibbons (played by Ron Livingston) after he was hypnotized. He was supposed to work over the weekend but, because he was told to relax while under hypnosis, he didn’t. His friend then asks him what he did when he was told to work. This is when Peter gives the quote.

Geek wisdom: There is indeed a certain joy to spend some time for yourself and not think about any of responsibility. Sometimes, it can be the best thing you can do for yourself is to just concentrate on having as much fun as you can to take care of your well-being.

“You’re right hand comes off?”

From: Resident Evil 4

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Barry BurtonLeon S. Kennedy

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Capcom’s Resident Evil 4. This was a major landmark in video games as series creator Shinji Mikami decided to reinvent the series, focusing more on action elements while still keeping a lot of the horror which made the franchise popular. It also popularized the over-the-shoulder camera angle we now see in a lot of 3rd person shooters.

The quote comes from the middle of the game. One of the game’s antagonists, Ramon Salazar, contacts rookie cop turned government agent Leon S. Kennedy via his comms. Ramon Salazar threatens Leon by stating he’s sending his “right hand” after him now. Leon then delivers the quote.

By the way, the subtitles from the original version of the game mistakenly says “you’re” instead of the more correct phrasing. As this is a direct quote from the original game, the title also shows the incorrect grammar instead of “your right hand comes off,” which is shown in later versions of Resident Evil 4.

Geek wisdom: Don’t take things too literally and try to read between the lines. There should be some room for more colorful language to get your point across to emphasize the tone you’re going for.

“All we had to do, was follow the damn train, CJ!”

From: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Big Smoke

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The Grand Theft Auto series is basically an open world video game franchise more focused on performing criminal acts. This has made the game very notorious but still incredibly fun. Additionally, each game in the series has a long overarching story. In San Andreas, you play as Carl “CJ” Johnson, a young man who get roped into doing illegal activities. But he has a goal to make something of himself.

The quote comes from Big Smoke when you fail the mission Wrong Side of the Tracks. CJ is tasked to use his motorcycle and follow a train filled with rival gang members. Big Smoke is with you as he’s there to shoot at the enemies while you drive. The mission can get frustrating as there are numerous obstacles in your way so a lot of things can go wrong. Each time you fail the mission, Big Smoke with chastise CJ with the quote.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, even the simplest of tasks can be difficult. There are always going to be extraneous circumstances as to why even the most foolproof plans can fail. Sometimes, you just got to give a little slack to the guy or girl who messed up.

“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.”

From: Galadriel

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, specifically from The Fellowship of the Ring. Based on JRR Tolkien’s books, the Fellowship of the Ring

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Frodo Baggins (played by Elijah Wood) is found by Galadriel (played by Cate Blanchett) and the wise elf tries to encourage the hobbit to continue on with his task, despite his concerns and fears. This is when Galadriel delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: All people matter in the great scheme of things. We may feel insignificant at times but we all have the power to do things that can help the world and make a better future.

“A sword yields no strength unless the hand that holds it has courage.”

From: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: The Hero’s Spirit

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Released on both the Nintendo GameCube and the Wii, Twilight Princess has Link try to prevent the land of Hyrule from being swallowed up by the Twilight Realm.

The quote is given by the Hero’s Spirit the first time Link encounters him. After being transported into a different plane of existence, Link tries to attack the Hero’s Spirit but his blow is easily deflected by the specter. This is when the Hero’s Spirit delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Whatever talents or skills you have are useless unless you actually use them. Have the strength and courage to show off your abilities.

“Because if a machine, a Terminator, can learn the value of human life, maybe we can, too.”

From: Terminator 2: Judgement Day

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Sarah Conner

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from Terminator 2: Judgement Day. The film happens several years after the first film, with a T-800, the same model that was sent to kill Sarah Conner previously, sent into the past to protect Sarah Conner’s son, John Conner, the future leader of the human resistance against Skynet, from a more advanced Terminator model.

The quote comes from the very end of the film. With both the advanced Terminator and the T-800 (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) destroyed, there is now a chance for a future where Skynet isn’t created. Sarah Conner (played by Linda Hamilton) gives a voiceover saying she’s finally she’s a more hopeful future and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We all should remember that people, and pretty much every living thing on the planet, has value. Yet there are some who will treat everything wrong. Hopefully, we will all realize how important life is.