“Say the line, Bart!”

From: The Simpsons

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Milhouse Van Houten

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from one of the episodes of The Simpsons. As one of the longest running shows ever (and since I’ve already used a lot of Simpsons quotes in the past), this show needs no introduction anymore.

The quote comes from the 5th season episode entitled “Bart Gets Famous.” In the episode, Bart Simpson accidentally becomes super famous due to a mishap he caused during the Krusty the Klown show, leading him to becoming known for saying “I didn’t do it.” At first, Bart enjoyed his newfound fame but starts to get tired of it as he becomes pigeonholed for only saying the line, despite trying new things. During this time, the entire class stops, with everyone staring at Bart. Bart then just wants to keep the lesson going, leading to Milhouse to goad Bart into saying his catchphrase with the quote.

Geek wisdom: There will be a time when you can feel stuck in a rut and want to expand your horizons but you might be afraid of change. That’s totally normal and the best way to get over that fear is to actually try something new.

Advertisement

“Disco? With myself? Outrageous!”

From: The Fairly Oddparents

Genre: Television, Cartoons

Who said it?: Jorgen Von Strangle

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Nickelodeon animated series, The Fairly Oddparents. The show features Timmy Turner who gets into various adventures because he has two fairy godparents, Wanda and Cosmo, who can grant his every wish. And these wishes usually backfires, leading to Timmy to un-wish whatever it was to return everything to its status quo.

The quote comes from the episode entitled “The Secret Origin of Denzel Cronker!” Denzel Cronker is one of Timmy Turner’s teachers who is obsessed with proving the existence of fairies. Deciding to figure out why Cronker is so mean, Timmy wishes to travel back to the past to find out. They eventually travel back to the 70’s and inadvertently cause a young Cronker to reveal that he had fairy godparents then. As revealing the existence of fairies is against the rules, the head fairy, Jorgen Von Strangle, erases every person’s memory and forbids Timmy, Wanda and Cosmo from trying to fix this. Jorgen then meets up with his 70’s counterpart and delivers the quote before the two versions dance.

Geek wisdom: It’s nice to be alone with yourself sometimes. While it’s good to be with company, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the quiet solitude of having some fun by yourself as well.

“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.

“It should’ve been me, not him! It’s not fair!”

From: Yu-Gi-Oh!

Genre: Cartoons, Television, Anime

Who said it?: Yami Yugi

The story behind the quote: Yu-Gi-Oh! is a popular anime series featuring a timid person named Yugi Mutoh. He solves an ancient puzzle, unwittingly becoming the host of a brash spirit. The spirit, now known as Yami Yugi, takes over during periods when Yugi and his friends are in peril. This also leads the pair to join several puzzle and gaming tournaments.

The quote comes from the 158 episode of the anime series. Yami Yugi has lost and, as a consequence, Yugi’s soul is taken. This leads him to wail the quote.

The quote comes from the English version of the anime, which you can see below.

The quote has become a meme when taken out of context. The meme is usually used as a punchline to certain situations, usually sexual, to express jealousy of the receiver.

Geek wisdom: There will be times when you might feel that life is unfair as others have better luck than you. However, you have to realize you can’t always get what you want.

“For a true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of their heart.”

From: Disney’s Hercules

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Zeus

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the animated Disney film, Hecules. The movie is a reimagining of Greek mythology’s Hercules. In the Disney version, Hercules is turned mortal by Hades and, in order to become a god and get his place back in Mount Olympus, he must become a hero.

The quote comes during the ending moments of the film. Hercules has regained his godhood by willing to give his life to save Megara/Meg. He is greeted by the gods of Mount Olympus. Zeus (voiced by the late Rip Torn). He recognizes that Hercules saved the day by not using brute strength and delivers the quote

Geek wisdom: You don’t have to be strong to become a hero. Being a hero is all about the willingness and having the courage to do the right thing when necessary.

“It’s alright to cry. Crying takes the sad out of you.”

From: Beavis and Butt-Head

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Butt-Head

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the animated series, Beavis and Butt-Head. Formerly on MTV, the show features two dimwitted teenagers known as Beavis and Butt-Head. The show was a huge hit thanks to it’s irreverent humor and pushing the boundaries on what could be put on television. The show has since spawned a couple of movies and has even been revived a couple of times, with the latest iteration of the show being aired on Paramount+.

The quote comes from the episode entitled, “Crying.” The episode starts with Beavis and Butt-Head (both voiced by creator Mike Judge) watching The Bachelor while eating chili dogs. Beavis sniffs a raw onion that was on his chili dog, causing him to shed a tear. Butt-Head, thinking he’s crying because of the show, starts making fun of him. Butt-Head then continues to make fun of him throughout the days, weeks and months. One day, during gym, Butt-Head starts making fun of Beavis again for crying, delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: While it does seem like the unmanly thing to do, crying is just an emotional response. So it’s actually okay to cry once in a while when the need arises.

“I don’t need luck, though. I don’t want it. I’ve always had to struggle and fight, and that’s made me strong. It’s made me who I am.”

From: Avatar: The Last Airbender

Genre: Television and Cartoons

Who said it?: General Iroh

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote is another submission from DJ Miller, who has helped us with a quote from King of the Hill, Forrest Gump and Arthur. This time, the quote comes from Avatar: The Last Airbender.

The quote comes from the episode “The Siege of the North, Part 2.” Zuko has finally captured Aang and attempts to carry him to the Fire Nation’s side. However, the snowfall is getting too harsh so he drags Aang into a cave. In the cave, Zuko (voiced by Dante Basco) delivers a monologue how his sister was a natural at fire bending and he was not. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: There will be someone out their in the world that is better than you. But you shouldn’t let that stop you from giving up. Succeeding comes from hard work not luck and, as long as you have the people you care about in front of you to help you, anything is possible.

“Your story may not have such a happy beginning, but that doesn’t make you who you are. It is the rest of your story. Who you choose to be.”

From: Kung-Fu Panda 2

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: The Soothsayer

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the animated film, Kung-Fu Panda 2. It is the sequel to the 2008 DreamWorks animated film and has Po face off against a dictator hellbent on taking over the country with his discovery of gunpowder.

The quote comes near the end of the film. Po (voiced once again by Jack Black) is badly hurt and is rescued by the soothsayer (voiced by Michelle Yeoh). Po starts to recall his past and how his parents gave up their lives to save him when he was very young. Po is initially distraught by this memory but the soothsayer delivers the quote. This makes him realize that, because of his parents’ sacrifice, he was able to live on and make new friends and live a happy and fruitful life.

Geek wisdom: While we may not have any control of our initial circumstances, we do have control of what we do with the rest of our lives. We have the power to change a bad situation as long as we put the necessary effort into overcoming it.

“Fate rarely calls upon us at a time of your choosing.”

From: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Genre: Cartoons, Movies

Who said it?: Optimus Prime

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2009 movie, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Based on the cartoon series of the same name, the movie has the Autobots trying to protect the planet Earth against the evil forces of the Decepticons. However, there is a new threat, known as the Fallen who is now the main antagonist here.

The quote comes early in the movie. Sam Witwitcky (played by Shia LaBeouf), now a college student, goes to Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen). Sam is upset as it seems he cannot have a normal life since the events of the previous movie. Optimus Prime understands Sam’s predicament but he asks for the human’s help to remind the humans of their alliance. Sam doesn’t want anything to do with this intergalactic war and starts to walk away. This is when Optimus Prime delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: The time to step up will come when it’s usually inconvenient. Yet we always must be ready to take up the call and do the right thing when the time comes.

“Many things that seems threatening in the dark become welcoming when we shine light on them.”

From: The Legend of Korra

Genre: Television and Cartoons

Who said it?: Iroh

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from The Legend of Korra. The sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender, this Nickelodeon takes place some time after the events of the original series as a new Avatar, a water tribe girl named Korra, inherits the title.

The quote comes from the episode “A New Spiritual Age,” which was the 10th episode of the 2nd season. Korra is trapped in the Spirit Realm and is overwhelmed by her new surroundings. She is rescued by the spirit of Iroh (now voiced by Greg Baldwin) and the aged mentor helps Korra in finding a way to find her friend. He directs her to bring a bird she accidentally injured to her home atop a scary looking mountain. When Korra tells him she’s afraid, Iroh points to the bird and reminds her how she was afraid of it, too. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Things that are unknown and unfamiliar to us can be scary and off-putting. It will remain that way until we actually put the time to understand them. We have to remain open or else we will always be prejudiced to these things just because we don’t understand what they are.