Memorable Quotes from Meryl Streep
47 quotesFinding Dining Options in Town
Dee Dee Allen
Uh, Tom?
Principal Tom Hawkins
Yes, yeah?
Dee Dee Allen
Is there a restaurant in town that has plates and cutlery and…
Principal Tom Hawkins
Oh, uh, there's an Applebee's by the mall. Would you like to go?
Dee Dee Allen
Yes. Take me now to this Apples & Bees place.
Principal Tom Hawkins
All right.
Dee Dee Allen
Thank you.
Principal Tom Hawkins
You're welcome.
Dee Dee Allen
How nice of you.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Personal Choices and Their Perception
Helen Archer
What if I did drink too much wine? Whose business is that anyway? Who knows how much I didn't drink, huh?
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The Importance of Passion in Relationships
Mary Fisher
Passion. Excitement. I think that it's important in a long-term relationship, and that's what I think women find from my novels. They find ways to make their man feel important and comfortable, to let him know that he is... the man. You know, so there's no confusion.
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The Speed of Rumors and Truth
Cliff Murchison
Was that Michael's brother?
Lindy Chamberlain
Can you believe it, the rumours are in New Zealand already!
Cliff Murchison
A lie goes round the world while truth's still putting its boots on, sweetheart.
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Casual Inquiry About Marijuana Use
Jane Adler
Do you poke smot?
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A Call for Professionalism and Focus
Miranda
Pull yourself together, we have work to do. And by we, I mean you.
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Job Application Ambitions in Fashion Industry
Miranda
Who are you?
Andrea
I'm Andy Sachs, I just graduated from Northwestern University
Miranda
And what are you doing here?
Andrea
Well, I think I could do a good job as your assistant, and, um... I came to New York to be a journalist, and I sent out letters everywhere, and I finally got a call from Elias Clark and met with Sherry up at Human Resources and- basically, it's this or Auto Universe.
Miranda
So you don't read Runway.
Andrea
No.
Miranda
And before today you had never heard of me?
Andrea
No.
Miranda
And you have no style or sense of fashion.
Andrea
Well, um, I think that depends on what you're …
Miranda
No, no, that wasn't a question.
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Confusion and Concern in Uncertain Times
Steven's mother
I still do not believe this. My own boy with a strange girl and not so thin, if you understand my meaning...The next thing you know, he goes to Vietnam...I do not understand, Father. I understand nothing anymore, nothing...Can you explain? Can anyone explain?
Steven's mother
You marry this girl, you leave her with me, and you go with these bums to Vietnam.
Nick
Did you hear about the happy Roman? He was "GLAD HE ATE HER"!
Linda
I was hoping, somehow Michael, maybe you had Nick with you...He never wrote to me, he never called me.
Axel
You're so full of shit, you're gonna float away.
Steven
The place is great...It's like a resort...I mean they got basketball, bowling...Princess Grace came to see us the other day.
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Miranda's Dismissive Attitude Towards Her Assistant
Miranda
Let's be clear. I did not hire you and I'll I need to do is bide my time until you fail. Why don't you take the train, dear.
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Political Gratitude and Future Uncertainty
Senator Jasper Irving
You first called me the future of my party. I'm returning the favour.
Janine Roth
It was just how I saw it eight years ago.
Senator Jasper Irving
Well, nonetheless, grateful.
Janine Roth
Considering the state of your party, how do you know the tag isn't pejorative?
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Self-Discovery and Maternal Love
Joanna Kramer
All my life I've felt like...somebody's wife or somebody's mother, somebody's daughter. Even all the time we were together I never knew who I was. And that's why I had to go away. And in California, I think I found myself. I got myself a job. I got myself a therapist, a really good one. And I feel better about myself than I ever have in my whole life. I learned a great deal about myself.
Ted Kramer
Such as?... No, really, I'd really like to know what you learned.
Joanna Kramer
Well, I've learned that I love my little boy. And that I'm capable of taking care of him.
Ted Kramer
What do you mean?
Joanna Kramer
I want my son.
Ted Kramer
You can't have him
Joanna Kramer
Don't get defensive. Don't try to bully me.
Ted Kramer
I'm not getting defensive. Who walked out 15 months ago?
Joanna Kramer
I don't care. I'm still his mother.
Ted Kramer
Yeah, from 300 miles away. And because you sent post cards gives you the right to come back?
Joanna Kramer
I never stopped wanting him.
Ted Kramer
What makes you sure he wants you?
Joanna Kramer
What makes you sure he doesn't want me?
Ted Kramer
Okay look. We're gonna sit here and bat this back and forth. It's like old times.
Joanna Kramer
You can't deny me...
Ted Kramer
Don't tell me what I can or cannot do! Don't talk to me that way!
Joanna Kramer
I anticipated this.
Ted Kramer
Okay look, I don't want to hear this. Do what you have to. I'll do what I have to.
Joanna Kramer
Fine... I am very sorry about this.
Ted Kramer
Okay, just do what you have to do.
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Uncertainty in Love and Commitment
Nick
Will you marry me?
Linda
Yeah.
Nick
You would? What I mean is, when we get back from...when we get back. I don't know what the hell I mean.
[She nods]
Linda
What goes through your mind comes out your mouth.
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Urgency in Collaborative Effort
Trent Oliver
Uh, Dee Dee, we gotta make haste.
Dee Dee Allen
Okay.
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A Mother's Grief Over a Missing Child
Lindy Chamberlain
The dingo's got my baby!
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Theater: Distraction or Healing Escape?
Dee Dee Allen
So theater is a distraction. Is that what you mean?
Principal Tom Hawkins
An distraction is momentary. An escape helps you heal.
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Authenticity vs. Societal Expectations
Lindy Chamberlain
I'm told, "Don't talk like you normally talk. Watch how you hold your mouth. You look too sour and crabby. Don't get angry. Don't ask too many questions, or they think you're trying to be smart. And never, never, never laugh or you're an uncaring bitch." Well, I can't cry to order, and I won't be squashed into some dumb act for the public ... or for you.
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Choosing a Beer Together
Michael
What kind of beer would you like?
Linda
What? I don't know. I don't care. Any kind.
Michael
I'll get you a Rolling Rock.
Linda
Okay.
Michael
It's a good beer, it's the best around.
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Reunion with Mummy After Time Apart
Lindy Chamberlain
Hello Kahlia. Hello darling. Don't you look lovely. Such a pretty dress.
[after being released from prison]
Kahlia
Mummy made it in jail.
[shyly]
Michael Chamberlain
This is Mummy, darling. She's back.
Kahlia
Real mummy?
Michael Chamberlain
Real mummy.
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Living for Each Other's Survival
Clarissa Vaughan
That is what we do. That is what people do. They stay alive for each other.
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Personal Testimony in a Tragic Situation
Lindy Chamberlain
Look, Mr. Barker. I wasn't there. I can only go on the evidence of my own eyes. We're talking about my baby daughter ... not some object!
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A Mother's Love for Her Son
Joanna Kramer
I love you, Billy.
Billy Kramer
I love you too, Mommy.
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The Beginning of Happiness
Clarissa Vaughan
I remember one morning getting up at dawn, there was such a sense of possibility. You know, that feeling? And I remember thinking to myself this is the beginning of happiness. This is where it starts. And of course there will always be more. It never occurred to wasn't the beginning. It was happiness. It was the moment. Right then.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Desire for Renewal and Regret
Susan Orlean
It's over. Everything, I did everything wrong. I want my life back. I want it back before everything got fucked up. I want to be a baby again. I want to be new. I want to be new.
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A Moment of Intimacy and Connection
Mary Fisher
He held her body as he had for a millennium with an ease neither of them had ever, ever known. He reached for her ...nub. Love... button!
[writing; pauses trying to think of an appropriate word; she backspaces "nub" and tries again]
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Weather Delays Affect Personal Commitments
Andrea
Hello Miranda?
[''on phone'']
Miranda
My flight has been cancelled. It's some absurd weather problem. I need to get home tonight. The twins have a recital tomorrow morning at school.
[''on the phone from Miami'']
Andrea
What?
Miranda
AT SCHOOL!
Andrea
Absolutely. Let me see what I can do.
Miranda
Good.
[''hangs up on her'']
Andrea
Miranda, hi, I'm trying to get you a flight but no one is flying out because of the weather.
[''answering the phone few minutes later'']
Miranda
Oh, please... it's just- I don't know- drizzling. Someone must be getting out. Call ]. Get her jet. Call everybody else that we know that has a jet- Irv?- Call every- This is your responsibi- THIS IS YOUR JOB!- Get-me-HOME!
[''Background in Miami shows a huge storm and smashing thunder'']
Andrea
Oh, my god! She's going to murder me.
Richard Sachs
What does she want you to do, call the National Guard and have her airlifted out of there?
Andrea
Of course not! Could I do that?
[''beat'']
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Inquiring About Kidney Health
Lindy Chamberlain
Crikey, how's yer kidneys?
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Reflections on Family and Luck
Mary Fisher
All the little families. Mummies and daddies and dear little children tucked away for the night. How lucky they all are!
[begins crying]
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The Desire for Passionate Engagement
Susan Orlean
I suppose I do have one unembarrassed passion. I want to know how it feels like to care about something passionately.
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Financial Expertise and Personal Finances
Mary Fisher
What is it, exactly, that you do, Mr. Patchett?
Bob Patchett
I'm a financial consultant.
Mary Fisher
Really?! I'm absolutely in awe of men who know how to handle money. I can't even balance my own checkbook.
Bob Patchett
Doesn't your accountant do that for you?
Mary Fisher
Should he?
Bob Patchett
The good ones do.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Inevitability of Change in Life
Susan Orlean
Change is not a choice. Not for a species of plant, and not for me.
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Mary Fisher's Call for Action Against Disruption
Mary Fisher
Someone get this deranged woman out of here!
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A Dispute Over a Poodle's Safety
Bob Patchett
Mary, what's wrong?
Mary Fisher
Your son and that mongrel are molesting my poodle.
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A Surprising Reaction to High Costs
Bob Patchett
My God, this is fantastic.
[in awe of Fisher's home]
Mary Fisher
You should see my electric bill.
Bob Patchett
I'd love to!
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Thirst and Humor in Climbing Conversations
Lindy Chamberlain
I saw you this afternoon going up the rock with a baby in a backpack. Carrying a six-pack. I thought you were cracked!
Greg Lowe
It's bloody thirsty work climbin'.
Michael Chamberlain
You know Greg, the worst thing for a thirst is alcohol.
Greg Lowe
Aw, you gotta be jokin mate, the worst thing for a thirst is sand!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Debating Certainty in Crisis Management
President Orlean
Mmm-hmm. So how certain is this?
Dr. Randall Mindy
There's 100% certainty of impact.
President Orlean
Please, don't say 100%.
Old Aide #2
Can we just call it a potentiality significant event?
President Orlean
Yeah.
Kate Dibiasky
But it isn't potentially going to happen. It is going to happen.
Dr. Randall Mindy
Exactly, 99.78% to be exact.
Jason Orlean
Oh, great. Okay, so it's not 100%.
Dr. Teddy Oglethorpe
Well, scientists never like to say 100%.
President Orlean
Call it 70% and let's just move on.
Kate Dibiasky
But it's not even close to 70%.
President Orlean
You cannot go around saying to people that there's 100% chance that they're going to die. You know? It's just nuts.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Importance of Passion in a Complex World
Susan Orlean
There are too many ideas and things and people. Too many directions to go. I was starting to believe the reason it matters to care passionately about something is that it whittles the world down to a more managable size.
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Commitment to Long-Term Strategy in Conflict
Senator Jasper Irving
What I can say is that this strategy has patience and determination at its core. It ensures that it puts our fighting men in spots where they can face, and fight, and kill the enemy, so that we can then go on about rebuilding that country. And if it takes ten years, that's how long we stay, we do whatever it takes.
Janine Roth
Whatever it takes.
Senator Jasper Irving
Whatever it takes.
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A Mother's Love and Acceptance
Joanna Kramer
I woke up this morning, kept thinking about Billy and I-I was thinking about him waking up in his room with his little clouds all around that I painted. And I thought I should have painted clouds downtown, because then he would think that he was waking up at home. I came here to take my son home. And I realized he already is home. Oh, I love him very much. I'm not gonna take him with me. Can I go up and talk to him?...
[Joanna and Ted hug]
Ted Kramer
Listen why don't you go upstairs and see him and I'll wait here.
Joanna Kramer
How do I look?
[wipes the tears from her eyes and pats her hair]
Ted Kramer
You look terrific.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Preference for Semen in Relationships
Jane Adler
I like a lot of semen, always have.
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Questioning the Effectiveness of Military Action
Senator Jasper Irving
Through precise military action, we will take the essential first step.
Janine Roth
First step? But what have we been doing for the past six years, Senator? World War II took less than five.
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The Contrast of Presence and Absence
Clarissa Vaughan
When I'm with him I feel... Yes, I am living. And when I'm not with him... Yes, everything does seem sort of silly.
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The Allure of Exceptional Passion
Susan Orlean
Most people yearn for something exceptional, something so inspiring that they'd want to risk everything for that passion, but few would act on it. It was very powerful and intoxicating to be around someone so alive.
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Emotional Distance in a Troubled Relationship
Linda
Why don't we go to bed? Can't we just comfort each other?
Michael
No, I can't. Not here. I gotta get out of here. I'm sorry. I just gotta get out...Look, I don't know. I feel a lot of distance and I feel far away. I'll see ya later.
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Casual Conversation Between Friends
Linda
So, how are you, anyway?
Michael
I'm fine, OK. How are you?
Linda
Me? I'm OK. I'm fine. I go along, you know. Still workin at the market. There's a million things to do. You sure you're all right, huh?
Michael
Yeah.
Linda
What about your wounds?
Michael
There's nothin', just healed. Just the usual complications, that's all.
Linda
But we heard...
Michael
No, that's not true. A lot of guys went through it.
Linda
Oh, I'm so glad you're alive. I'm so happy. I really don't know what I feel.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Questioning the Nature of Wrongness
Clarissa Vaughan
Why is everything wrong?
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Questioning Military Decisions and Accountability
Janine Roth
Why did we send 150,000 troops to a country that did not attack us, and one-tenth that number to the one that did?
Senator Jasper Irving
How many times are you people going to ask the same question?
Janine Roth
Till we get the answer.
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Miranda's Demands and Emily's Struggles
Miranda
I don't understand why it's so difficult to confirm an appointment.
Emily
I'm so sorry, Miranda, I actually did confirm –
Miranda
Details of your incompetence do not interest me. Tell Simone that I'm not going to approve that girl that she sent me for the Brazilian layout. I asked for clean, athletic, smiling; she sent me dirty, tired and paunchy. And RSVP yes to ] party. I want the driver to drop me off at 9.30 and pick me up at 9.45 sharp. And then call Natalie at Glorious Foods and tell her no, for the fortieth time, no, I don't want ]. I want tortes filled with warm rhubarb ]. And then call my ex-husband and remind him that the parent–teacher conference is at ] tonight. And then call my husband. Ask him to please meet me for dinner at that place I went to with Massimo. Also, tell Richard I saw all the pictures that he sent for that feature on the female paratroopers, and they're all so deeply unattractive. Is it impossible to find a lovely, slender, female paratrooper? Am I reaching for the stars here? Not really. Also, I need to see all the things Nigel has pulled for ]'s second cover try. I wonder if she's lost any of that weight yet. Who is that?
Emily
Nobody! Oh, uhm, well, Human Resources sent her up about the new assistant job, and I was sort of "pre-interviewing" her for you, but she's hopeless and also totally wrong for –
Miranda
Well clearly I'm going to have to do that myself because the last two you sent me were completely inadequate, so … send her in. That's all.
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