25 quotes
Struggling with Identity and Expectation
Charles
Jesus Christ, John.
John
I can't fail. This is all I am.
Charles
Come on, let's go out.
John
I got to get something done.
Charles
John!
John
I can't keep staring into space.
Charles
John, that's enough!
John
Got to face the wall, follow their rules, read their books …
Charles
You want to do some damage, fine! But don't mess around!
John
… do their classes.
Charles
Come on! Go on, bust your head! Kill yourself. Don't do it. Don't mess around. Bust your head! Go on, bust that worthless head wide open!
John
Goddamn it, Charles! What the hell is your problem?!
Charles
It's not my problem. And it's not your problem. It's their problem. Your answer isn't face the wall. It's out there, where you've been working.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Courage of the Heart Exceeds Mind's Power
Taglines
The Only Thing Greater Than the Power of the Mind Is the Courage of the Heart
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Finding Joy in Madness
John Nash
There's no point in being nuts if you can't have a little fun.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Creative Distractions Amid Academic Pressure
Charles
You've been in here for two days.
John
You know Hansen's just published another paper? I can't even find a topic for my doctorate.
Charles
Well, on the bright side, you've invented window art.
John
This is a group playing touch football. This is a cluster of pigeons fighting over bread crumbs. And this here is a woman who is chasing a man who stole her purse.
[points]
Charles
John, you watched a mugging. That's weird.
John
In competitive behavior, someone always loses.
Charles
Well, my niece knows that, John, and she's about this high.
John
See, if I derive an equilibrium where prevalence is a non-singular event where nobody loses, can you imagine the effect that would have on conflict scenarios, arm negotiations …
Charles
When did you last eat?
John
… currency exchange?
Charles
When did you last eat? You know, food.
John
You have no respect for cognitive reverie, you know that?
Charles
Yes. But pizza – now, pizza I have enormous respect for. And of course beer.
John
I have respect for beer. I have respect for beer!
[throws stuff down and follows; shouts]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Complexities of Supervision and Projects
John
You knew ]?
[[Robert Oppenheimer|Oppenheimer]
Parcher
] was under my supervision.
[[w:Manhattan Project|His project]
John
Which project? … That project.
Parcher
It's not that simple.
John
Well, you ended the war.
Parcher
We incinerated over a hundred thousand people.
John
Well, great deeds come at great costs.
Parcher
Well, conviction, it turns out, is a luxury of those on the sidelines, Mr. Nash.
John
I'll try and keep that in mind.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Possibility of Extraordinary Beliefs
Taglines
I need to believe that something extraordinary is possible …
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The Value of a Beautiful Heart
John Nash
Perhaps it is good to have a beautiful mind, but an even greater gift is to discover a beautiful heart.
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Contemplating Marriage Amidst Life's Uncertainties
Charles
God, that's wonderful! There's no accounting for taste, is there?
John
Should I marry her?
Charles
Oh, Gosh.. Right.
John
I mean, everything's going well. The job is fine, I have enough money
Charles
It all seems to add up, doesn't it John?
John
... but how do you know for sure?
Charles
Nothing's ever for sure, John. That's the only sure thing I do know.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Understanding the Infinite Universe
Alicia
How big is the universe?
John
Infinite.
Alicia
How do you know?
John
I know because all the data indicates it's infinite.
Alicia
But it hasn't been proven yet.
John
No.
Alicia
You haven't seen it.
John
No.
Alicia
How do you know for sure?
John
I don't, I just believe it.
Alicia
It's the same with love, I guess.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Mathematical Humor on Fashion Choices
John Nash
There has to be a mathematical explanation for how bad your tie is.
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Desire and Ritual in Attraction
John Nash
I find you very attractive. Your aggressive moves towards me indicates that you feel the same way. However, ritual requires that we engage in a number of platonic activities before we have sex. I am proceeding with those activities when, in point of actual fact, all I really want to do is have intercourse with you as soon as possible. You going to slap me now?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Revising Economic Theories in Competition
Hansen
Recall the lessons of ], the father of ]. "In competition …
[[Adam Smith; [modern economics]
Everybody
… individual ] serves the common ]
[[ambition; [good.]
John
Adam Smith needs revision.
Hansen
What are you talking about?
John
Adam Smith said the best result comes from everyone in the group doing what's best for himself. Right? That's what he said, right?
Hansen
Right.
John
Incomplete. Incomplete, okay? Because the best result will come from everyone in the group doing what's best for himself … and the group.
Hansen
Nash, if this is some way for you to get the blonde on your own, you can go to hell.
John
Governing dynamics, gentlemen. Governing dynamics. Adam Smith...he was wrong.
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Questioning Identity and Purpose
Parcher
Is this what you are, soldier? Some useless ghoul? The local madman?
John
I'm not a soldier.
Parcher
You're gonna end up in a cell! Old, worthless, discarded.
John
There's no mission.
Parcher
And while you rock and drool, the world will burn to ashes!
John
You are not real! You are not real!
Parcher
You're still talking to me, soldier!
John
There's no mission! I'm not a soldier!
Hansen
John? John? John, John, John, John. Hey, hey, hey. John, John! It's okay. I just heard what happened, I'm sorry. John--
John
I'm not a soldier.
Hansen
John. Hey, Nash. Nash, hey. Hey, you're all right.
Parcher
Ladies and gentlemen, the great John Nash!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Struggling with Identity and Expectations
John
I can't fail. This is all I am.
Charles
Come on, let's go out. I got to get something done. John!
John
- I can't keep staring into space.
Charles
-John, enough!
John
Got to face the wall, follow their rules, read their books
Charles
You want to do some damage? Fine
Charles
Come on! Go on, bust your head! Kill yourself. Go do it. Don't mess around. Bust your head! Go on, bust that worthless head wide open.
John
Goddamn it, Charles!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Introduction of Dr. John Nash to Leaders
Colonel
General, this is Wheeler team leader Dr. John Nash.
General
Glad you could come, Doctor.
John Nash
Hello.
General
Right this way.
General
We've been intercepting radio transmissions from ].
[[Moscow]
General
The computer can't detect a pattern, but I'm sure it's code.
John Nash
Why is that, General?
General
Ever just know something, Dr. Nash?
John Nash
Constantly.
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Direct Approach to Intimacy and Communication
Woman
Maybe you want to buy me a drink.
John
I don't exactly know what I'm required to say in order for you to have intercourse with me, but could we assume that I said all that? I mean, essentially we're talking about fluid exchange, right? So, could we just go straight to the sex?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Exploring the Nature of Reality
Alicia
You want to know what's real? This. This. This. This is real. Maybe the part... that knows the waking from the dream, maybe it isn't here.
John
Maybe it's here.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Logic of Love and Reason
John Nash
I've always believed in numbers and the equations and logics that lead to reason. But after a lifetime of such pursuits, I ask: What truly is logic? Who decides reason? My quest has taken me through the physical, the metaphysical, the delusional…and back. And I have made the most important discovery of my career, the most important discovery of my life: It is only in the mysterious equations of love that any logic or reasons can be found. I'm only here tonight because of you. You're the only reason I am…you are all my reasons.
[In his Nobel acceptance speech; Looking at Alicia]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Limits of Conventional Education on Creativity
John Nash
Classes will dull your mind, destroy the potential for authentic creativity.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Logic Behind Love's Mysterious Equation
Taglines
It is only in the mysterious equation of love that any logical reasons can be found.
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Embracing Fun Amidst Uncertainty
John
Have you met Harvey?
[points to the empty seat Sol is about to sit in]
Sol
John, there's no...
[startled, and worried]
John
Relax, it's okay. There's no point in being nuts if you can't have a little fun.
Sol
] ]. I should have known...
[[Jesus; [Christ]
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The Quest for Originality and Significance
John Nash
Find a truly original idea. It is the only way I will ever distinguish myself. It is the only way I will ever…matter.
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The Burden of Genius and Reality
Helinger
Mathematicians won the war. Mathematicians broke the Japanese codes, and built the A-bomb. Mathematicians … like you. The stated goal of the Soviets is global Communism. In medicine or economics, in technology or space, battle lines are being drawn. To triumph, we need results. Publishable, applicable results. Now, who among you will be the next Morse? The next Einstein? Who among you will be the vanguard of democracy, freedom, and discovery? Today, we bequeath America's future into your able hands. Welcome to Princeton, gentlemen.
Dr. Rosen
Imagine if you suddenly learned that the people, the places, the moments most important to you were not gone, not dead, but worse, had never been. What kind of hell would that be?
Dr. Rosen
John has schizophrenia, people with this disease are often paranoid.
[to Alicia]
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Unique Perception of Reality
Taglines
He Saw the World in a Way No One Could Have Imagined.
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The Limits of Reason in Mental Struggles
Dr. Rosen
You can't reason your way out of this!
John
Why not? Why can't I?
Dr. Rosen
Because your mind is where your problem is in the first place!
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