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Anime and Manga
Among thousands of comrades, among ten thousand enemies, only you, only you, only you made me forget my dream. (Beat...) ...I sacrifice.
—Griffith, Berserk
I killed two men. Those were human lives, it won't be overlooked! Besides, who am I to pass judgement on others? ...No. No, wait. Maybe I'm wrong. This is exactly what I've been thinking about lately. This world is rotting, and those who are making it rot deserve to die!
—Light Yagami, Death Note
Comic Books
The strange thing was, he knew she was right. Without being sure exactly why, he knew he was making the wrong choice. But he dredged up what he needed to keep going. To put one leaden foot in front of the other.
Cassidy: Yeh do it an' yeh're one of the monsters... But yeh know what? Yeh wake up the next mornin' an' yer still alive... Yeh sort yerself out a bit... An' a wee tiny part've yeh starts to believe in a second chance.
Jesse: An' then you do it again.
Jesse: An' then you do it again.
Curiously... I feel something like remorse. Both for the life taken... and all that I myself have lost... (pauses pensively, only to notice the Autobots coming after him) The time, though, for such introspection is clearly later.
—Galvatron, The Transformers Megaseries
Sonic: For once, I'm going to skip the banter. You're going to tell me right here, right now- why did you do it?
Eggman: Haha- what? I've been trying to Take Over the World for years. You know that. You've been underfoot the whole time.
Sonic: I mean going back to the "mad scientist" schtick. Sure, Doctor Fashion Disaster over there gave you back your memories... but you chose to go back to your old ways. What was wrong with being like Mr. Tinker?
Eggman: That's not who I am.
Sonic: Not be him- be like him.
Eggman: Oh, what? You want me to be a charitable goody-two-shoes? Fixing doorknobs and building toys? Living on... grateful smiles. Listening to children's laughter, day in, day out. Making things... people need... and use... [a moment of sadness crosses his face before he shrugs it off] Ahh... that life was relaxing. But I'm doing something better. I'm bringing peace and unity to the world, and providing it with my brilliant guidance.
Sonic: No, you're not!
Eggman: Agree to disagree.
Eggman: Haha- what? I've been trying to Take Over the World for years. You know that. You've been underfoot the whole time.
Sonic: I mean going back to the "mad scientist" schtick. Sure, Doctor Fashion Disaster over there gave you back your memories... but you chose to go back to your old ways. What was wrong with being like Mr. Tinker?
Eggman: That's not who I am.
Sonic: Not be him- be like him.
Eggman: Oh, what? You want me to be a charitable goody-two-shoes? Fixing doorknobs and building toys? Living on... grateful smiles. Listening to children's laughter, day in, day out. Making things... people need... and use... [a moment of sadness crosses his face before he shrugs it off] Ahh... that life was relaxing. But I'm doing something better. I'm bringing peace and unity to the world, and providing it with my brilliant guidance.
Sonic: No, you're not!
Eggman: Agree to disagree.
Fan Works
Since that day, my life has changed forever. I could no longer go back to the way I was. I had become a bloodthirsty monster, killing innocents in order to achieve my true, ultimate goal. Awesome!
—Lelouch, Code Geass: The Abridged Series
He's... really just leaving me here! He gave me his energy and... left me! Maybe this is a sign... Maybe I should change... Maybe this is my second... and last... chance... Maybe... I was wrong. (beat) NAAAAH!!
—Freeza, Dragon Ball Z Abridged
Am I just— that competitive as a person?
Is my irrational despair over his tits just another example of me getting unnecessarily concerned over some petty trifle?
Did my upbringing just instil in me a bizarre sense of perfectionism and some sort of strange complex around not being the best at something, no matter how minor?
Nah.
I can’t accept that.
I can’t - in any shape or form - allow this to have me in the wrong.
This is all Emiya-kun’s fault and he should be ashamed of himself.
Is my irrational despair over his tits just another example of me getting unnecessarily concerned over some petty trifle?
Did my upbringing just instil in me a bizarre sense of perfectionism and some sort of strange complex around not being the best at something, no matter how minor?
Nah.
I can’t accept that.
I can’t - in any shape or form - allow this to have me in the wrong.
This is all Emiya-kun’s fault and he should be ashamed of himself.
— The Malding of a Certain Magus
, a Fate/stay night fanfic
, a Fate/stay night fanficKirito: Wow, Sachi, you've really opened my eyes. I've been such a jerk! Well, no more! You're looking at a whole new Kirito. From now on, I'm gonna be nicer, and show people the compassion they deserve.
Sachi: ...So, can we talk about my problems now?
Kirito: Ugh! No-one cares!
Sachi: Oh...
Sachi: ...So, can we talk about my problems now?
Kirito: Ugh! No-one cares!
Sachi: Oh...
Gero never returned to that village. Was it relief what washed over him when he found out [their mother] was dead, that she would no longer send search crews every year on the anniversary of their [children] disappearance? Or was it a sense of sadness that he had caused this innocent woman to suffer? He reasoned with himself for many, many years that he had done those kids a favor. He made them elite fighting machines. He gave them a purpose.
Film — Animated
God have mercy on her... God have mercy on me...
But she will be mine, or she will burn!
But she will be mine, or she will burn!
—Claude Frollo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Po: You gotta let go of that stuff from the past cause it just doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is what you choose to be now.
Lord Shen: You're right. Then I choose THIS!! (draws knives and attacks)
Lord Shen: You're right. Then I choose THIS!! (draws knives and attacks)
Every once in a while, I sit down with myself asking,
"Onceler! Why are you a Onceler?"
And I cringe, I don't smile, as I sit there on trial asking,
"Aren't you ashamed, you old Onceler?
You ought to be locked in a hoosegow, you should!
The things that you do are completely un-good!"
"Yeah? But if I didn't do them, then someone else would!"
"That's a very good point, Mr. Onceler."
"Onceler! Why are you a Onceler?"
And I cringe, I don't smile, as I sit there on trial asking,
"Aren't you ashamed, you old Onceler?
You ought to be locked in a hoosegow, you should!
The things that you do are completely un-good!"
"Yeah? But if I didn't do them, then someone else would!"
"That's a very good point, Mr. Onceler."
The things you say just might be true.
It might be time to start anew.
And maybe change my point of view.
NAAAH!
It might be time to start anew.
And maybe change my point of view.
NAAAH!
—O'Hare, The Lorax (2012)
Film — Live-Action
Robbie Robertson: Still no word on the whereabouts of your son's fiancée. Sorry, Jonah.
J. Jonah Jameson: (sighs while gazing at the empty Spider-Man suit mounted on his wall) It's all my fault. I drove Spider-Man away.
Hoffman: He was the only one who could have stopped Octavius.
J. Jonah Jameson: (sighs, turns away) Yes... Spider-Man... was a hero. I just... couldn't see it.
(THWIP)
J. Jonah Jameson: He was a... (turns around to see the suit gone) A THIEF! A criminal! He stole my suit! He's a menace to the entire city! I want that wall-crawling arachnid PROSECUTED! I want him STRUNG UP BY HIS WEB! I WANT SPIDER-MAAANNN!!
J. Jonah Jameson: (sighs while gazing at the empty Spider-Man suit mounted on his wall) It's all my fault. I drove Spider-Man away.
Hoffman: He was the only one who could have stopped Octavius.
J. Jonah Jameson: (sighs, turns away) Yes... Spider-Man... was a hero. I just... couldn't see it.
(THWIP)
J. Jonah Jameson: He was a... (turns around to see the suit gone) A THIEF! A criminal! He stole my suit! He's a menace to the entire city! I want that wall-crawling arachnid PROSECUTED! I want him STRUNG UP BY HIS WEB! I WANT SPIDER-MAAANNN!!
Darth Vader: The Emperor has been expecting you.
Luke Skywalker: I know, father.
Vader: So, you have accepted the truth.
Luke: I've accepted the truth that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father-
Vader: That name no longer has any meaning for me.
Luke: It is the name of your true self, you've only forgotten. I know there is good in you. The Emperor hasn't driven it from you fully. That was why you couldn't destroy me. That's why you won't bring me to your Emperor now.
Vader: ...I see you have constructed a new lightsaber. Your skills are complete. Indeed you are powerful, as the Emperor has foreseen.
Luke: Come with me.
Vader: Obi-Wan once thought as you do. You don't know the power of The Dark Side. I must obey my master.
Luke: I will not turn. And you'll be forced to kill me.
Vader: If that is your destiny...
Luke: Search your feelings, father. You can't do this. I feel the conflict within you! Let go of your hate!
Vader: It is... too late for me, son. The Emperor will show you the true nature of the Force. He is your master now.
Luke: ...Then my father is truly dead.
Luke Skywalker: I know, father.
Vader: So, you have accepted the truth.
Luke: I've accepted the truth that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father-
Vader: That name no longer has any meaning for me.
Luke: It is the name of your true self, you've only forgotten. I know there is good in you. The Emperor hasn't driven it from you fully. That was why you couldn't destroy me. That's why you won't bring me to your Emperor now.
Vader: ...I see you have constructed a new lightsaber. Your skills are complete. Indeed you are powerful, as the Emperor has foreseen.
Luke: Come with me.
Vader: Obi-Wan once thought as you do. You don't know the power of The Dark Side. I must obey my master.
Luke: I will not turn. And you'll be forced to kill me.
Vader: If that is your destiny...
Luke: Search your feelings, father. You can't do this. I feel the conflict within you! Let go of your hate!
Vader: It is... too late for me, son. The Emperor will show you the true nature of the Force. He is your master now.
Luke: ...Then my father is truly dead.
Live-Action TV
Londo: I have made many choices lately, Vir. And today, for the first time I am not sure those choices were right.
Vir: Perhaps some good has come out of this tragedy. It's not too late to make some new choices.
Londo: No. The blood is already on my hands. Right or wrong, I must follow the path to its end.
Vir: Perhaps some good has come out of this tragedy. It's not too late to make some new choices.
Londo: No. The blood is already on my hands. Right or wrong, I must follow the path to its end.
Hilary: Will, if you have an ounce of compassion, you'll let me off the hook.
Will: That's a good point... Nah! We'll do it anyway!
Will: That's a good point... Nah! We'll do it anyway!
Ghhh, why don't I ever listen to people when they talk about themselves? No, it's annoying, and I'm right not to.
—Eleanor, The Good Place
Oh, my God, how can a night that's turned out so badly get even worse? Wait, don't panic. Think for a second... No, this is good, this is sensible.
—Malcolm while trying to destroy a handgun with a hacksaw, Malcolm in the Middle
"One thing you can never say is that you haven't been told."
Maybe I’m not being true to how I feel
With the pressure stacking up on my shoulders
Maybe I’m not making room for my emotions
And I’m entangled in a notion that there’s a battle in my heart…
(Beat)
Nah. I’m fine!
With the pressure stacking up on my shoulders
Maybe I’m not making room for my emotions
And I’m entangled in a notion that there’s a battle in my heart…
(Beat)
Nah. I’m fine!
— Gobo Fraggle, Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, in the song "Push it Down, Fraggle Up"
Music
And for what?
I've killed and I've shot
And reddened the cold tears of children with blood
And If I could go back and make my amends
I'd make all those mistakes again
I'd kill every last one of those bastards, my friend
I've killed and I've shot
And reddened the cold tears of children with blood
And If I could go back and make my amends
I'd make all those mistakes again
I'd kill every last one of those bastards, my friend
—Alestorm, "Pirate Song"
Since I was no bigger than a weevil,
They've been saying I was evil
That if bad was a boot, that I'd fit it
That I'm a wicked young lady,
But I've been trying hard lately
Oh fuck it! I'm a monster! I admit it!
They've been saying I was evil
That if bad was a boot, that I'd fit it
That I'm a wicked young lady,
But I've been trying hard lately
Oh fuck it! I'm a monster! I admit it!
—Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, "The Curse of Millhaven"
I am not a bad man
Even though I do bad things
Very bad things
Such horrible things
But it's not quite what it seems
(Not quite what he seems)
Not quite what I seem...
Ah, Hell...
It's exactly what it seems.
Even though I do bad things
Very bad things
Such horrible things
But it's not quite what it seems
(Not quite what he seems)
Not quite what I seem...
Ah, Hell...
It's exactly what it seems.
—Creature Feature, "Such Horrible Things"
Mythology and Religion
The light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.
Tabletop Games
Eventually, though, your acquaintances grew disgusted and eschewed your company - or followed in your tracks and died trying to keep up. Looking back upon your life, you see that you have accomplished little in the way of lasting import beyond spending your family's lucre. Now that you're dead...
Oh, fuck it. You may change some night, but it won't be tonight.
Driver! On to the senator's party!
Oh, fuck it. You may change some night, but it won't be tonight.
Driver! On to the senator's party!
—The Degenerate, Vampire: The Masquerade - Clanbook: Giovanni (Revised)
Video Games
Could I have made mistakes? One does not build cities if one is guided by doubt. But can one govern in absolute certainty? I know that my beliefs have elevated me, just as I know that the things I have rejected would have destroyed me. But the city... it's collapsing before my... have I become so convinced by my own beliefs, that I have stopped seeing the truth? ...Perhaps. But, Atlas is out there, and he aims to destroy me, and destroy my city! To question is to surrender! I will not question!
—Andrew Ryan, BioShock, "Mistakes" audio diary
Dean Domino, entertainer, singer... thief... explored the Sierra Madre not long after he was rescued by the Courier. Once he left the theater, the Sierra Madre recognized him as a guest, and many doors opened to him. He had to admit, it had been built to last. During his search, he came across the final records of Vera and Sinclair, and realized what happened the night the bombs fell. He felt strangely sad for a moment, and he had no idea why. Shrugging it off, his mind turned instead to where the Courier had come from. Vegas still survived, out there in the Mojave. Its sights, sounds... and casinos, ripe for the taking. So giving the Sierra Madre one last nod and a wink, he set off beyond the Cloud to begin again.
—A potential ending for Dean Domino, Fallout: New Vegas - Dead Money
You know, being Caroline taught me a valuable lesson. I thought you were my greatest enemy, but all along, you were my best friend. The surge of emotion that shot through me when I saved your life taught me an even more valuable lesson: where Caroline lives in my brain. Caroline deleted. Goodbye, Caroline.
—GLaDOS, Portal 2
Maligula: Marona... wasn't supposed to be there. Lazarus shouldn't have brought her! He killed my sister.
Nona: No, that's not quite right.
Maligula: No, that's not quite right... [...] I... I killed my sister. [...] I killed my sister. [...] But so what, eh? (laughs) I killed lots of people.
Nona: No, that's not quite right.
Maligula: No, that's not quite right... [...] I... I killed my sister. [...] I killed my sister. [...] But so what, eh? (laughs) I killed lots of people.
It takes a strong man to deny what's right in front of him. And if the truth is undeniable, you create your own.
—Konrad, Spec Ops: The Line
Victoria flinches for just a moment, her eyes flipping between Wonka and the egg. You see a brief flash of something that almost looks like contrition, or regret... though it vanishes in short order.
— Weeb's Wonka Game
Builder: Your obsession with appearance is unhealthy.
Rat Queen: Aye, I has't a problem. And I needeth help. But not now. Now, thee kicketh the bucket!
Rat Queen: Aye, I has't a problem. And I needeth help. But not now. Now, thee kicketh the bucket!
Webcomics
Weary of being a slave to these homicidal impulses, Butch seriously considered getting a lobotomy. But for that he'd need a referral from his Primary Care Physician, whom he'd buried under the back porch last Tuesday. Damn HMO.
Oh dear Lord, I actually have zombie minions. Yep, I guess I really am evil now.
—Ian, Errant Story
He believed Heaven itself was coming to punish him - though he was rather fuzzy on what sin in particular had crossed the line. He experienced a genuine crisis of faith. He didn't like it. So he smashed his device, which banished the ... well, whatever they were ... and then he had pie. Crisis over. In many ways, he was a refleshingly simple man.
—The Castle describing Robur Heterodyne, Girl Genius (Vol. 14 p. 43)
) Web Original
In "Let It Go", the line "Let the storm rage on" is followed by "The cold never bothered me anyway" - a line many people remember, as it's said twice, sung in a different style, and is the last line of the song. Of course, as the Snow Queen, Elsa is not bothered by low temperatures in the literal sense. But in the other senses of the word "cold", she is still frightened of it. Uncontrolled release of her powers still remains the primary problem in the story, and after building her ice palace she is never again happy while using her powers, until the end of the movie.
Most importantly, "cold" as in isolation from other people, is still bothering her to the core. Think about what she does after she finishes her song, right after she sings that last line "the cold never bothered me anyway": she turns around and slams shut the doors to her new castle, as she had done in Arendelle. Her way of dealing with her problem is still the same as it was before her coronation: she thinks as long as she shuts people out - and if that doesn't work, as long as she's far enough away and isolated and alone - she'll be okay. But this is diametrically opposed to the central message of the film - that instead of not being bothered by the cold of isolation, she needs to be embraced by the warmth of love.
Most importantly, "cold" as in isolation from other people, is still bothering her to the core. Think about what she does after she finishes her song, right after she sings that last line "the cold never bothered me anyway": she turns around and slams shut the doors to her new castle, as she had done in Arendelle. Her way of dealing with her problem is still the same as it was before her coronation: she thinks as long as she shuts people out - and if that doesn't work, as long as she's far enough away and isolated and alone - she'll be okay. But this is diametrically opposed to the central message of the film - that instead of not being bothered by the cold of isolation, she needs to be embraced by the warmth of love.
Narrator: He puzzled and he puzzled til his puzzler was sore. Then the Grump thought of something he hadn't before.
Just because he hates something doesn't mean others should. He could share, not force, his opinions like others would.
For it's our different outlooks that can make people grow, and everyone is different like every flake of snow.
For different points of view can exist for a reason: to learn about one another and to make each other decent.
The Grump: Naw, I'm right. They're wrong.
Narrator: Well, fuck you, then!
Just because he hates something doesn't mean others should. He could share, not force, his opinions like others would.
For it's our different outlooks that can make people grow, and everyone is different like every flake of snow.
For different points of view can exist for a reason: to learn about one another and to make each other decent.
The Grump: Naw, I'm right. They're wrong.
Narrator: Well, fuck you, then!
—The Nostalgia Critic, reviewing How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Later on, Weiss is storming away and Ruby comes to catch up to her. Ruby asks why Weiss has reverted back to Ep 5-7 era Weiss after getting her hopes up in Ep 8...
—Matt the Mammoth Rider, RWBY Recaps episode 10
Western Animation
"My own mother thought I was a monster... She was right, of course, but it still hurt."
—Azula, Avatar: The Last Airbender
Harleen Quinzel: (in the hospital after The Joker threw her out a window) Never again. No more obsession, no more craziness, no more Joker. I finally see that slime for what he is: a murderous, manipulative, irredeemable...
(she notices the flower and "Feel better soon" note on her nightstand)
Harley Quinn: ...Angel!
(she notices the flower and "Feel better soon" note on her nightstand)
Harley Quinn: ...Angel!
"Why, there are no children here at the 4-H Club either! Am I so out of touch?... No. It's the children who are wrong."
—Principal Skinner, The Simpsons
Believe me I know, I've sunk pretty low,
But whatever I've done, you deserved!
But whatever I've done, you deserved!
—Varian, Tangled: The Series
"There's something you should know about me by now, Roger: I don't learn lessons."
—Stan Smith, American Dad!
Should I just apologize to my friends and ask them to take me back? Tell then that I was being a selfish jerk? What should I do?...
Should I admit I was wrong, ask for everyone's forgiveness, and go back to my original team?
(Beat)
Nah, screw that. I'm just gonna keep being a fuckin' dick!
Should I admit I was wrong, ask for everyone's forgiveness, and go back to my original team?
(Beat)
Nah, screw that. I'm just gonna keep being a fuckin' dick!
—Eric Cartman, South Park
"Am I really going to defile this grave for money...? Of course I am!"
—Mr. Krabs, SpongeBob SquarePants
Gumball: All of this to prove you could be just as bad as me. Could it be that... that... that I was wrong?
Darwin: Is that even a question!?
Gumball: Oh thanks, man, I almost doubted myself there.
Darwin: Is that even a question!?
Gumball: Oh thanks, man, I almost doubted myself there.
— The Amazing World of Gumball, "The Saint"
Marge: Hasn't this experience taught you you can't believe everything you hear?
Homer: Marge, my friend, I haven't learned a thing!
Homer: Marge, my friend, I haven't learned a thing!
Dr. Zenus: This robot will do everything for me. Robot, activate yourself and do my research. Next, assume my social obligations.
(A clock labeled with months shows the passing of time.)
Visitor: Dr. Zenus, for a lifetime of scientific achievement, we present this award to... your robot.
Dr. Zenus' son: Daddy, I love you. (Runs to the robot and hugs it.)
Dr. Zenus: If only I'd programmed the robot to be more careful what I wished for. Robot, experience this tragic irony for me.
Robot: (falling to knees) NOOOOOOOOO!!
(Dr. Zenus sips a beer and sighs contentedly)
(A clock labeled with months shows the passing of time.)
Visitor: Dr. Zenus, for a lifetime of scientific achievement, we present this award to... your robot.
Dr. Zenus' son: Daddy, I love you. (Runs to the robot and hugs it.)
Dr. Zenus: If only I'd programmed the robot to be more careful what I wished for. Robot, experience this tragic irony for me.
Robot: (falling to knees) NOOOOOOOOO!!
(Dr. Zenus sips a beer and sighs contentedly)
