Vince Vaughn, Rip Torn, Justin Long, Joel David Moore, Stephen Root, Alan Tudyk, and Chris Williams in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004) | IMDb
Inspirational. Life-changing. Significant. Relevant. Chill-inducing. These are a number of the adjectives that surface when discussing movies that nestle their way into our hearts and minds — and never leave. Films with lines we’ve memorized. With moments so clear in our memories, it’s as if the events unfolded in our very own lives.
Some quotes in movies take you aback. You pause to digest the words which have been said. The words are so meaningful they pierce through the silver screen to all those listening. You may even feel faraway from the story — stomaching the load of wisdom imparted — before regaining focus and returning to the story before you.
This list will highlight movie quotes with vital life lessons to share. And a number of the movies may surprise you, for a movie needn’t be serious to say something significant.
“Don’t ever let someone inform you you may’t do something, not even me. Alright? You dream. You gotta protect it.” — ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’
It’s tough to make it in a capitalist society where the wealthy get richer and the poor get poorer. Where generational wealth is a ticket to a life of economic freedom. Yet, despite all of the obstacles which will get in the best way of your dreams, determination will triumph if given the space to flourish.
Will Smith’s character goes on to clarify to his son that individuals will attempt to inform you that you simply cannot achieve your dreams— and it’s because their fear is larger than their will. People who’re too scared to present it their all need to see others succumb to the identical negative emotions. Yet, dreams are powerful. We must protect them. Nurture them. Without aspiration, there isn’t a success. But with it, with a vision so strong it’s tangible before it involves fruition, we will pursue and attain happiness.
“The past can hurt. But the best way I see it, you may either run from it, or learn from it.” — ‘The Lion King’
Rafiki is The Lion King’s unorthodox and eccentric mandrill. Despite his questionable approach to imparting life lessons, his wisdom is faultless nonetheless. He is the embodiment of intuition, and is the “old soul” to Simba’s “young grasshopper.” This quote concerning the past relays that one’s history is powerful — it might probably carry a lot emotional weight that it paralyzes you in the current. However, the quote also asserts that it might probably be a source of data — a well of experience that you simply learn from.
“The past can hurt. But the best way I see it, you may either run from it, or learn from it.” –Rafiki, The Lion King pic.twitter.com/ZTnBDZZHNY
— Disney (@Disney) December 16, 2019
Running from the past will keep you in a cyclical trap of your personal creation. The more you run, the less you grow. When you confront the past, pain and fear will surface, but at the tip of the tunnel, there may be freedom. Freedom from the shackles your mind has constructed as barriers. But the thing about barriers: they don’t only keep others from getting in…they keep you from getting out.
Rafiki is present to show Simba the importance of resilience, accepting responsibility, and growing from one’s mistakes. And, on this one quote, he does all of it.
“If you may dodge a wrench, you may dodge a ball.” — ‘Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story’
On a literal level, this quote lacks a little bit of a punch within the inspiration department. However, on a metaphorical level, it’s an excellent lesson about preparing for the worst. In life, for those who are prepared to “dodge a wrench” — face the unexpected, address drastic change, find solace in times of despair — you’ll easily have the ability to “dodge a ball” — cope with on a regular basis inconveniences and minor disappointments. Think of the wrench because the worst possible consequence, and the ball because the modestly annoying consequence. If you simply prepare for the ball, what is going to you do when the wrench comes flying at you?
This is just not to say that it’s best to live life in a state of tension, but relatively that it’s good to emotionally, physically, and mentally develop the means to face life’s biggest challenges.
“My mama all the time said, Life was like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re gonna get.” — ‘Forrest Gump’
This famous Forrest Gump quote is comparable to the one above but is less about preparation, and more about accepting life’s randomness. Life throws curveballs. Life can bring glorious days of pure bliss and somber days stuffed with sorrow and regret. Yet, until you reside it, you won’t realize it. So, get on the market and take a bite of the chocolate — hopefully, you get an excellent flavor.
You don’t all the time need a plan. Forrest never really had one, and his life brought him such an eclectic series of adventures. Sometimes it’s okay to let the wind sweep you away and see what happens once you relinquish just a little control.
It’s easy to dwell on those now we have lost. To fixate on all of the ways we could have acted in another way after they were alive. On all of the actions we could have taken to alter the course of events which have taken them away. However, it doesn’t profit you or those around you to give attention to those that are not any longer here. There are those living who could use your support — those suffering who still walk this earth. Pity them. Find it in your heart to take care of them. Find it in your power to console those that can profit out of your compassion.
“Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living. And above all, pity those who live without love.” – Dumbledore pic.twitter.com/qzDZV2ZzA6
— Harry Potter (@harrypotter) August 26, 2014
Dumbledore goes on to incorporate that Harry should, most of all, pity those that “live without love,” for what’s a life without love? Those combating isolation — with the earthly woes of a loveless existence — are more deserving of pity than those that cannot feel the commiseration you hold for them. This quote is primarily about shifting perspective within the face of loss, and, though difficult to listen to, these are words we will all learn from.
“And medicine, law, business, engineering: these are noble pursuits and crucial to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love: these are what we stay alive for.” — ‘Dead Poets Society’
Robin Williams’ character is just not diminishing the importance of practical studies here but relatively emphasizing the importance of the humanities. Without science, we might not survive. We can be stuck at midnight ages. Yet, without poetry, art, beauty, and romance, what would now we have to survive for? How would we connect with each other? How would we discover the souls on the market operating on the identical wavelength?
Do not get so caught up within the tangible — in the target and practical — that you simply forget the very facets of existence that make us human. The very things that separate us from inferior mammals with not more than an instinct to survive. We have an instinct to flourish. Nurture it.
“But once I saw her laid out like a queen, she was the happiest corpse I’d ever seen.” — ‘Cabaret’
This quote might have just a little bit more context than the others on the list; nevertheless, once broken down, it carries an excellent deal of weight about living life to the fullest. This quote is a lyric from the song “Cabaret” from the movie musical Cabaret. The lyric is a couple of woman who partied. She never said no to an exciting opportunity. She took risks. She got here to the cabaret to “hear the music play.” And, when she died, she looked so comfortable, for she didn’t have any regrets.
She didn’t die fascinated about all of the “what ifs” for she chased all those exciting opportunities. This is just not to say that you have to be fearless and risk-taking to a fault (for she likely died from “an excessive amount of pills and liquor”), but it’s best to not be too regimented as to miss out. As the song goes, “From cradle to tomb, it isn’t that long a stay,” so placed on your going-out outfit and hit the town.
