Tag: robin williams

“You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you’ll win, no matter what the outcome.”

From: Patch Adams

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Dr. Hunter “Patch” Adams

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1998 comedy-drama Patch Adams. The film is loosely based on the real Dr. Hunter “Patch” Adams. He is portrayed in the film by the late Robin Williams.

The quote comes late in the film. Patch Adams is called into a hearing for practicing medicine out of his home without a license; at this point, Patch had not graduated yet. The school threatens to expel him for this. Patch Adams rebukes the idea that a doctor should be treated with extreme reverence and that doctors are too focused on trying to cure the sickness and ignoring the human element. He then delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We, not just doctors, have to learn to be more compassionate with others. It has become so easy to be unfeeling and detached with other people but this is the reason why there is so much suffering out there. Try to build and rebuild your connections with others so that we can understand them, not just ignore them. Because that’s what we would want others to do for us.

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“Do not be fooled by its commonplace appearance. Like so many things, it is not what is outside, but what is inside that counts.”

From: Aladdin

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: The Peddler

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the 1992 animated Disney film, Aladdin. The film is a “sanitized” version of the original story but does cover the broad strokes or a “street rat” who uses a magic Genie to try to win the affections of a princess while fighting off an evil wizard.

The quote comes at the beginning of the film where we see a Peddler (voiced by Robin Williams, who also happened to voice the Genie) talks to the viewer and tries to sell you various objects. He then tries to sell you a seemingly ordinary lamp but, as the quote suggests, the lamp is more than it seems…

Fun Fact: It was supposed to be revealed at the end of the film that the Peddler was the Genie in disguise, which is why Robin Williams voiced both characters but was changed during its development.

Geek wisdom: There’s an old saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” It’s so easy to give a foolish first impression because of how something or someone looks. But it’s only until we really delve into something and give that person or thing a chance when we can understand its real worth.

“Carpe diem. Sieze the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.”

From: Dead Poets Society

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: John Keating

The story behind the quote: The world is still reeling from Robin Williams’ passing. So, even though I posted a quote from the man himself, I decided to give another quote from his movies. But, which in itself, I feel has a deeper meaning…

The quote comes from Dead Poets Society. The film is about an unorthodox teacher, John Keating, played by Robin Williams. His teaching style is different from the “standard” way of teaching as, while he was hired to instruct his students about how to read poems and literal works, he tries to teach them how to live life to the fullest.

In a pivotal scene, John Keating holds his class in the halls of the school and has one of the students read the first stanza of “To the Virgins, To Make Much of Time” by Robert Herrick. The then informs the students of the meaning of the poem is “Carpe Diem,” which means “Seize the day.” Keating then elaborates on the deeper meaning of the poem as shown in the clip below.

Geek wisdom: Our time in this world is limited. We all have an expiration date and we will eventually pass from this world. The thing is, we have no idea when our time on this world will end. So, while we’re still alive, we have to live life to the fullest.

“Na-nu, na-nu!”

From: Mork & Mindy

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Mork

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Mork & Mindy, a sitcom that ran from 1978 to 1982. The show stars the late Robin Williams as Mork, an alien from the planet Ork, sent to Earth to observe human behavior… or so he thought. In fact, Orson, Mork’s superior actually sent him away from Ork as humor is not allowed on the planet. Mork encounters Mindy on the planet and she agrees to shelter the alien during his stay on Earth.

The quote is actually the Orkian way of greeting as well as saying farewell to someone. When it is used to say hello to someone, Orkians will give the quote and extend their hand like an ordinary handshake. But when used to say goodbye to someone, Orkians must twist both earlobes while giving the quote as seen in the intro of the show.

Geek wisdom: No matter the language we use, it’s important to be cordial with each other. A friendly handshake is definitely unmistakable way to extend your intention of friendship with another.

RIP Robin Williams. You will be missed.