From: Kingdom Come
Genre: Comics
Who said it?: Superman
The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from DC Comics’ graphic novel Kingdom Come. Written by Mark Waid and beautifully illustrated by Alex Ross, Kingdom Come is an Elseworld story where a retired Superman returns to action to reform the Justice League when a new breed of superheroes start to take their vigilante crusade too far.
The quote comes near the end of the story. After the United Nations kill a majority of the new superheroes and Captain Marvel/Billy Batson, Superman goes on a rampage at the UN building. He is only talked down by a minister named Norman McCay, who the Spectre told was going to decide the fate of the world. McCay tells Superman what he’s doing at that moment is precisely why the world is scared of them as they don’t have the power to fight back. Superman backs off and, deciding he cannot force his ideology on others, delivers the quote.
Geek wisdom: We shouldn’t rely on other people, no matter how powerful they might be, to solve our problems. We have to get into the dirt and do the work ourselves. Also, we might like the solution they give us as they don’t know what we need; we’re the only ones who know what is required.