Category: Books

“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.

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“The world’s more interesting with you in it.”

From: The Silence of the Lambs

Genre: Movies, Books

Who said it?: Hannibal Lecter

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from The Silence of the Lambs. Originally a book written by Thomas Harris before it was made into a movie, The Silence of the Lambs follows rookie FBI agent Clarice Sterling as she is assigned to interview the incarcerated serial killer Hannibal Lecter, who may provide insight to a current string of murders. The movie was a critical and financial success, even winning several awards, including Best Picture in 1991, the first horror movie to do so.

The quote comes during the end of the film. Hannibal Lecter (played by Anthony Hopkins) managed to break out of the asylum but calls Clarice Sterling (played by Jodie Foster) one more time. He tells her she has nothing to be afraid of as he has no interest in harming her, delivering the quote as his reason.

Geek wisdom: This does not only refer to Clarice Sterling but to everyone in the world. Everyone, in a small part, will influence the world and change the course of history. What we don’t know is how and if it will be for the good or bad of humanity and the planet.

“Witchers watch for answers.”

From: The Witcher

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Geralt of Rivia

The story behind the quote: This week comes from The Witcher television series. Originally a book series by Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher has become a franchise of its own, spawning a hit video game series by CD Projekt Red as well as a television series on Netflix.

The quote comes from the Netflix television series. In the second episode of the second season, entitled Kaer Morhen (which also is the name of the fortress all the Witchers stay), Geralt of Rivia (played by Henry Cavill) talks to his mentor Vesemir (played by Kim Bodnia) and he explains that he brought Ciri to Kaer Morhen to keep her safe. Geralt acknowledges Ciri lied to him when she was asked how she escaped her entire kingdom’s razing. When Vesemir asks Geralt why he didn’t demand for the truth, Geralt delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Always look for the truth yourself and never simply accept whatever “truth” is given to you.

“Winter is coming.”

From: Various characters as it is the motto of House Stark

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Game of Thrones/A Song of Fire and Ice

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from Game of Thrones (AKA A Song of Fire and Ice). Originally a book series by George RR Martin, it was popularized when HBO decided to make a television series based on them.

The quote is actually mentioned several times throughout both the books and the HBO series. It’s actually the motto of House Stark, one of the families interested in claiming the Iron Throne. It is to reference the harshness of the winters of the Westeros and Essos continents. However, like a lot of literary works, this does have two meanings.

Geek wisdom: Always be prepared for the worst as it will come sooner or later. You might not know when it will exactly but it will eventually arrive so it’s best to be ready for whatever hardships may come.

“A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.”

From: Gandalf the Gray

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: The Lord of The Rings trilogy, specifically The Fellowship of the Ring movie

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, both the books and the movies. The Lord of the Rings is a follow up to JRR Tolkien’s book, The Hobbit. In The Lord of the Rings, Frodo Baggins finds The One Ring in the possession of his uncle, Bilbo Baggins. What follows is a quest to go to Mordor to destroy The One Ring.

The quote comes during the early moments of the film that was directed by Peter Jackson. Gandalf the Gray (played by Sir Ian McKellan) arriving at the Shire, the area of the hobbits. Frodo Baggins greets the wizard, taunting him that he is late. This is when Gandalf delivers the quote.

Please take note that the video is an edit to extend the laughter between the two characters. It was the best I could find.

Geek wisdom: Everything you do has to have a purpose and this even includes your mistakes. If you’re late for an appointment or fail to accomplish a task, there is a good chance it it your fault, even if there are circumstances that prevented you from doing it. The best thing is to own up to them.

“Evil is evil. Lesser, greater, middling. It’s all the same.”

From: The Witcher

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Geralt of Rivia

The story behind the quote: This week, we have a trifecta as the quote comes from a book, a television series from Netflix and a video game series made by CD Projekt Red. All of these sources are based on The Witcher series, which are written by Andrzej Sapkowski. The book follows Geralt of Rivia, the titular Witcher, a man who has magical abilities who can defeat magical monsters.

The quote comes from several sources. The original quote came from the book, The Last Wish, which is a compilation of short stories. Geralt gives the quote when asked to kill Renfri. The Netflix television series generally tells the same tale and Geralt (played by Henry Cavill) also delivers the quote during the first episode, The End’s Beginning.

The quote is also said by Geralt in The Witcher video game series of CD Projekt Red. However, it is told in a trailer for the game. The trailer features Geralt returns to collect a bounty on a monster. When he notices that the same people who paid him for the hunt are about to hang a “witch,” he decides to fight back but not before delivering the quote in his mind.

Geek wisdom: We like to justify our bad actions by thinking it’s not as bad as the alternative. But, ultimately, it is a justification. As the quote says, evil is evil and that’s the way it is, no matter how you spin it.

“Sometimes dead is better.”

From: Jud Crandall

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Pet Sematary (both films and the book)

The story behind the quote: This week quote comes from Pet Sematary, one of Stephen King’s most popular horror novels. The book was adapted into film twice, once in 1989 and another two decades later, in 2019. The book and the films focus Louis Creed, a man who learns about  a mysterious plot of land just beyond the pet cemetery where, if you bury something that died in that area, will come back to life… but not in the way you remember it.

In each iteration, the quote is given by Jud Crandall, a longtime resident of the area, while he tells a story about something that was buried in the so-called Pet Sematary. In the first film, the character is played by Fred Gwynne and he tells the story of a man named Timmy Baterman who died during World War II. Timmy’s father buried him in the Pet Sematary and the boy came back to life but he didn’t come back as a normal human being.

In the 2019 movie, Jud Crandall (now played by John Lithgow) explains that he thought that Louis Creed’s cat would not come back as evil as the other creatures that were buried in the Pet Sematary.

Geek wisdom: It may be painful to let go but, ultimately, it’s best that you do. You can hold on to the memories but you ultimately cannot let things control your future. You will have to accept the way things are.

“What came first? The music or the misery?” AND “Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listen to pop music?”

From: Hi-Fidelity

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Rob Gordon

The story behind the quote: This week’s quotes come from the book and movie High Fidelity. The book was written by Nick Hornby and published in 1995 while the movie version was released in 2000. The movie follows Rob Gordon (Rob Fleming in the book) as a record store owner who just broke up with his girlfriend.

The quotes come from the very start of the movie where we see Rob (played by John Cusack) listening to the song. As he listens, he laments that people will try to blame music for violent acts but don’t try to protect them from all the heartache and pain a lot of music lyrics profess.

Geek wisdom: We sometimes actually cause our own sadness and misery without realizing it. We lament that we are stuck in a dead-end job or are in a loveless relationship. Yet we never actually take steps to try to break free from this sadness and take control of our lives for the positive.

“You cannot see what you’ve become.”

From: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Dwalin

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the final chapter of The Hobbit trilogy of movies, The Battle of the Five Armies. The Hobbit was actually the first book that preceded the Lord of the Rings trilogy and was also written by J. R. R. Tolkein. The book mostly follows the adventures of the lowly hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. However, it also chronicles the story of Thorin Oakenshield and his quest to retake his kingdom.

The quote comes during the early part of the movie. Thorin (played by Richard Armitage) has reclaimed his throne. However, he has also inherited the “dragon sickness” as he has become obsesses with the riches inside the Lonely Mountain. Dwalin informs his king that the dwarves are being attacked. Thorin doesn’t seem to care and just wants to hide the wealth deeper into the mountain. Dwalin laments at how Thorin has changed when he became king and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: People will change, for better or for worse. The problem is not the fact that people change. It’s the fact that most people cannot see that it is they who have become different and will say the world is the thing that has changed. Change is always inevitable, even when we do not realize it all the time.

“You’ll float, too!”

From: Stephen King’s It, both the television miniseries and the 2017 film

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Pennywise the Clown and Georgie

The story behind the quote: This week quote comes from Stephen King’s horror novel, It. The book was adapted a couple of times, once in a 1990 miniseries and a big blockbuster 2017 film. The quote appears in both version but said by different people… somewhat.

In the 1990 miniseries, the quote is said early on. When Georgie loses his paper boat in the sewer, Pennywise the Clown (played here by Tim Curry) shows Georgie the boat. The devilish clown entices the boy to get the boat and also informs the child that there are all sorts of things, such as balloons. When Georgie asks if they float, Pennywise grabs the boy and delivers the quote.

In the 2017 movie, the quote is said also during the early parts of the film. Georgie’s older brother, Bill, is mourning his brother’s death. One night, he hears a noise and follows it to the basement. Here, he sees Georgie. However, the boy is actually Pennywise (here played by Bill Skarsgard) and makes “Georgie” deliver the quote several times.

Geek wisdom: Just because something sounds cool, that doesn’t mean you have to ride the bandwagon. It may seem cool to “float” but it actually means something scary and frightening. Always think for yourself and not just go along with the crowd because it’s the current fad.