Category: Cartoons

“Sure, we want to learn to become good adults. But we’re only kids for a little while. So just give us a break. Please?”

From: Disney’s Recess

Genre: Television, Cartoons

Who said it?: TJ Detweiler

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

The quote comes from the episode “The Kids in the Mist.” When a video threatening to cut back on Recess due to a teacher wanting to focus more teaching discipline, TJ and the gang get ahold of the video and film themselves defending why recess is important. At the end of the video, TJ pops into view and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We shouldn’t be in a rush to grow up. Parents and teachers need to let kids stay a kid for a little while.

“Please, do not make me let you down.”

From: X-Men ’97

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Magneto

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Disney+ animated show, X-Men ’97. Based on the Marvel comics series, X-Men ’97 is a continuation of X-Men: The Animated Series. The world thinks Professor X is dead and Magneto, the X-Men’s greatest villain, now is in control of the X-Men.

The quote comes from the second episode, entitled Mutant Liberation Begins. Magneto (voiced here by Matthew Waterson) subdues an attack by the Friends of Humanity on the United Nations during his trial. He mentions how he would’ve killed everyone in the past, especially due to how the X-Cutioner managed to remove Storm‘s mutant abilities during the battle. However, Professor X challenged him to try a different path and he is trying to be a better person. He closes the monologue by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, people would like to change and change for the better. However, a lot of us have difficulty letting go of the past. With that in mind, we should never try to hold them back just because of their past mistakes. In fact, we should encourage these people and help them as they are trying instead of telling them they cannot change. At the very least, get out of their way when they are trying to better themselves.

“…And in real life, you can’t always win.”

From: Hey Arnold! The Movie

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Gerald Johanssen

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2002 animated film, Hey Arnold! The Movie (also known as Arnold Saves the Neighborhood in some territories). Based on the Nickelodeon cartoon, the film has the titular character trying to save his home and the entire neighborhood from being torn down to give way for a new shopping mall.

The quote comes in the middle of the film. After trying to find a document that will cement the neighborhood as a historical landmark that will save the neighborhood from demolition and failing, Arnold and his best friend Gerald go to the arcade to lament on their loss. Arnold wishes there was something he could do and this is when Gerald gives the quote.

Geek wisdom: Life isn’t always fair and, sometimes, you can’t get everything you want. You just have to try your best and be okay with the knowledge you did give it your all.

“He’s just standing there… menacingly!”

From: Spongebob Squarepants

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Patrick Star

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from a certain creature who lives in a pineapple under the sea, Spongebob Squarepants. One of Nickelodeon’s most popular cartoons, Spongebob Squarepants features the titular character who gets into different crazy adventures in Bikini Bottom (and sometimes outside the town).

The quote comes from the episode entitled “Hall Monitor” where Spongebob, due to his zeal of being assigned as the school’s hall monitor, accidentally causes various mishaps across Bikini Bottom and, as a result, deemed as a “maniac” by the public. Spongebob doesn’t realize this and vows to capture the “maniac” with the help of his friend, Patrick Star. At night, Patrick recognizes Spongebob as the “maniac” in the darkness and calls Spongebob on the radio, saying he’s close to where the “maniac” is. When Spongebob can’t see the “maniac” (because he is the “maniac” in question), he asks Patrick what the “maniac” is doing. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Our perceptions and reality on people can differ. We can have some preconceived notions about certain people and we can jump to conclusions based on them. It’s a good idea to give people a chance before forming your own judgement on them.

“Go confront the problem! Fight! Win!”

From: The Incredibles

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Edna Mode

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Disney/Pixar CG animated movie The Incredibles. The film is about a family of retired superheroes headed by Mr. Incredible. He is hired by a mysterious company to take out a rogue robot. Once he does, he starts to use his powers more openly, not knowing the company he’s working for has nefarious motives.

The quote comes in the middle of the problem. Helen Parr/Elastigirl (voiced by Holly Hunter) goes and visits former superhero costume designer Edna Mode (voiced by The Incredibles director Brad Bird) and she laments that her husband, Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible, may be having an affair. Edna Mode cannot believe that Elasigirl is just crying about it and tells her to go after her husband and confront him while delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: Whining and crying about a problem won’t help solve it. Take action in solving the problem to get rid of it.

“Just keep swimming.”

From: Finding Nemo

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Dory

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Disney/Pixar animated film, Finding Nemo. Released in 2003, the film follows a clownfish named Marlin and a forgetful regal blue tang named Dory as they search for Marlin’s son, Nemo.

The quote comes in the middle of the film. Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) and Dory (played by Ellen DeGeneres) managed to escape from certain death but, in the process, lose the diver’s mask, which they believe will lead them to Nemo. Marlin is in despair as he believe he’ll never find his son after this incident. However, Dory tries to encourage him to move forward by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: You might feel the urge to give up during the low points in life. But life is all about peaks and valleys. If you give up and do nothing then you’ll never pick yourself up and see that the bad times are just temporary.

“…And you are wearing his MERCHANDISE!”

From: Disney’s Hercules

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Zeus

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote was submitted from Jordan Loux, who also submitted another quote a couple of weeks ago. Thanks again!

This week’s quote comes the animated Disney film, Hercules. 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 in the middle of the film. Hades (voiced by James Woods) has been trying and trying to get rid of Hercules but the demigod keeps thwarting his plans and, in effect, making Hercules a bigger and more popular hero for the Greek population. While lamenting his problem, Hades notices that one of his minions is actually wearing sandals bearing Hercules’ branding. He complains that his ultimate plan to take over Olympus might not come to fruition and this is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: From Jordan Loux: You speak with your wallet, and the things you buy can say a lot about the causes you support. Think before you buy.

“That boy ain’t right.”

From: King of the Hill

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Hank Hill

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Jordan Loux. Thanks for the great quote!

The quote comes from the Fox animated sitcom King of the Hill. The show generally follows the Hill family, particularly the Hill patriarch, Hank Hill, as well as his friends and next door neighbors, as they deal with the someone exaggerated eccentricities of mundane, everyday life of midwestern America.

From Jordan Loux: This quote comes from Mike Judge’s King of the Hill, and is the go-to response whenever Hank Hill sees his son Bobby doing something that leaves him completely dumbfounded. From listening to modern music to practicing one of his many hobbies, Hank struggles to understand why his son is the way that he is.

Geek wisdom: Just because someone does something different than you doesn’t mean that it is wrong. It is important to take the time to understand why before rushing to judgement.

“I know you’re real because I have a ton of bad memories with you!”

From: Rick and Morty

Genre: Television, Cartoons

Who said it?: Morty Smith

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the absurdist comedy sci-fi animated show, Rick and Morty on Adult Swim. It follows the adventures of Rick Sanchez, the smartest person(s) in the multi-verse and his grandson and hapless companion, Morty Smith.

The quote comes from the first season episode “Total Rickall,” which involve shapeshifting parasites who implant false memories in people so they can take over a planet. Morty Smith, upset with his grandfather Rick Sanchez locking the entire family up to make sure the parasite don’t infect the rest of the planet, prepares to kill him. Morty says he doesn’t want to kill him because he has a ton of fond memories with him but Rick then retorts he has a lot of bad memories with his grandson. This leads to Morty killing the true parasites in the room as he delivers the quote to reveal to Rick how to identify who is and isn’t a parasite.

Geek wisdom: Your true friends and family will be there through the good times as well as the bad. Sometimes they will disappoint you but that’s all because these people will be entangled in your life. So, cherish both the good and bad memories with them as this does mean they’ve been a part of your life and helped you to be the person you are.

“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.