31 quotes
The Illusion of Innocent Power
Lex Luthor
Do you know the oldest lie in America, Senator? It's that power can be innocent. Good luck!
[''She turns and walks away'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Headline Suggestion for a Controversial Story
Perry White
Jenny. Headline. "End of Love Affair With Man In The Sky". Question mark.
[''After watching news report of Wallace vandalizing Superman statue with statement of "False God"'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Significance of a Historic Blade
James Harmon
I wonder, would you excuse us? There's something I'd like to show you.
[''Walks up to Diana with an elderly couple''; ''To Diana'']
Diana
I'm sorry.
[''To couple'']
James Harmon
Now some scholars insist it never happened, but I believe its the action perfectly in keeping with a king who was also a psychopathic killer. For me, its the culmination of 40 years of curating. And I can't believe it, but I've finally got it here. It's ]. It's the blade that cut ]. It's a triumph.
[''Walks away with Diana''; ''They walk up to museum case display of sword artifact''; [w:Cura Si Manjakini|the sword of Alexander; [w:Gordian Knot|the Gordian Knot]
Diana
Yes.
James Harmon
Enjoy.
Diana
Thank you.
[''He walks away'']
Bruce
It's a fake. The real one was sold in ] on the black market. And now it hangs...
[''Approaches''; [w:1998|'98]
Diana
Over the bed of the Sultan of Hajar. Excuse me.
[''Looks at him and smiles factually''; ''Walks away'']
Bruce
Excuse me, miss. The other night you took something that doesn't belong to you. Stealing's not polite.
[''Grabs her arm with her glancing down'']
Diana
Is it stealing if you steal from another thief?
Bruce
Who are you?
Diana
Someone interested in the same man you are.
Bruce
Is that right?
Bruce
You know, I bet with that dress, nine out of ten men will let you get away with anything.
[''Diana attempts to walk past him with him thwarting her'']
Diana
But you're the tenth?
Bruce
Hmm, I'm guessing I'm the first to see through that babe-in-the-woods act. You don't know me, but I've known a few women like you.
Diana
I don't think you've ever known a woman like me. You know, it's true what they say about little boys. Born with no natural inclination to share. I didn't steal your drive. I borrowed it. You'll find it in the glove compartment of your car. Mr. Wayne.
[''Turns smiling to him''; ''Turns to walk away'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Rejecting Deception and Mislabeling
June Finch
You can call me whatever you like. Take a bucket of piss and call it Granny's Peach Tea. Take a weapon of assassination and call it deterrence. You won't fool a fly or me. I'm not gonna drink it.
[''To Lex'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Life Lessons from Growing Up on a Farm
June Finch
I grew up on a farm. I know how to wrestle a pig.
[''To Lex before testifying before a Congressional hearing'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Invitation to a New Conflict
Alfred Pennyworth
Bruce Wayne won't have to. He's been invited.
[''Bruce informs him that he can't break into Lex Luthor's house''; ''Hands Bruce an invitation'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Lex Luthor's Provocative Statement to Junebug
Lex Luthor
You are going to be on the hot seat in there, Junebug!
[''To June before testifying before a Congressional hearing'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Oldest Lie in America
Lex Luthor
] ] Hmm. You and your hearings. Galloping through the streets to warn us. One if by land, two if by air. Hmm. Do you know the oldest lie in America, June? Can I call you June?
[''To June over announcing blocking his license to mineral access''; [w:Paul Revere|The redcapes are coming.; [w:Red tape|The redcapes are coming.; ''Sits on table near her and starts drumming table underside''; ''June stops his drumming'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation and Threat in Batman v Superman
Bruce Wayne / Batman
Tell me. Do you bleed? You will.
[''To Superman''; ''Superman shoots upwards'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Nature of God and Power
Lex Luthor
See, what we call God depends upon our tribe, Clark Joe, cause God is tribal; God takes sides! No man in the sky intervened when I was a boy to deliver me from daddy's fist and abominations. I figured out way back if God is all-powerful, He cannot be all-good. And if He is all-good, then He cannot be all-powerful. And neither can you be.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Superman Reflects on Missed Perception
Superman
I didn't see it, Lo. Standing right there, and I didn't see it.
[''Wracked with guilt and rejection'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Investigation into a Missing Person
Clark
Is she in?
[''Holds up newspaper photo of Kahini to a woman in a tenement'']
Woman
No, she's been gone.
Man
What'd she do, officer?
Clark
I'm not a cop. I'm a reporter. The young lady living here...
Man
No, no, she hasn't been back. In fact, if she's smart, then she's gotten out of this city. And you need to get out before dark! Unless you want to run into him.
Woman
Don't listen to that nonsense! Only people scared of him, people who got reason to be.
Clark
Scared of who?
Man
There's a new kind of mean in him. He is angry. And he is hunting.
[''Scratches a lottery ticket''; ''Holds up lottery ticket to reveal Batman logo'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Perry White's Advice on Covering Gotham Sports
Perry White
Kent. You're sports today. I want you to go to Gotham and follow up on football. "Underdog Dreams Dashed: Ten Yards between Gotham and Glory". Oh, um, watch yourself over there in Gotham. Don't let them take your lunch money.
[''Walks up to Clark in office''; ''Envisioning headline'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Warning About the Bat's Fate
Clark Kent / Superman
Next time they shine your light in the sky, don't go to it. The Bat is dead. Bury it. Consider this mercy.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Alfred's Advice on Socializing and Honesty
Alfred Pennyworth
Go upstairs and socialize. Some young lady from the Metropolis will make you honest. In your dreams, Alfred.
[''To Bruce over being caught in [[w:Server farm|the server room; ''To self'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Alfred Questions Bruce's Deception Skills
Alfred Pennyworth
Master Wayne, since the age of seven you have been to the art of deception as ] to ]. But you've never been too hot at lying to me. The White Portuguese is not carrying a dirty bomb. What is it carrying?
[[w:Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart|Mozart; [w:harpsichord|the harpsicord]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Regret and Responsibility in Crisis Situations
Lois Lane
I don't have a halo over my head, General. I walked into the desert, people died. It keeps me awake at night. It should.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Conflict Over Kryptonite's Control
Bruce
It's a weapon. It's a rock. A mineral capable of weakening Kryptonian cells. The first sample big enough to mean something turned up in ] three months ago. It is now aboard the White Portuguese being delivered to Lex Luthor. Who I am going to steal it from.
[[w:Indian Ocean|the Indian Ocean]
Alfred
To keep it out of Luthor's hands. To destroy it.
Bruce
No.
Alfred
You're going to go to war?
Bruce
That son of a bitch brought war to us two years ago. Jesus, Alfred, count the dead. Thousands of people. What's next? Millions? He has the power to wipe out the entire human race, and if we believe there's a 1% chance that he is our enemy, we have to take it as an absolute certainty! And we have to destroy him.
Alfred
But he is not our enemy!
Bruce
Not today. Twenty years in Gotham, Alfred. we've seen what promises are worth. How many good guys are left. How many stayed that way. Fourteen hours.
[''Walks away'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Reflections on Perfection and Reality
Bruce Wayne / Batman
There was a time above... a time before. There were perfect things... diamond absolutes. How things fall, things on Earth. And what falls... is fallen. In the dream, they took me to the light. A beautiful lie.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Balance of Luck and Misfortune
Bruce
The house treats luck like an insult.
[''After watching an underground bare-knuckle boxing match, then to Anatoli at the bar'']
Anatoli
Good luck for one is always his brother's misfortune.
Bruce
But all accounts are balanced in the end. Three nights with a ] ballerina and that line was all she taught me.
[''In Russian''; ''In English''; [w:Bolshoi Theatre|Bolshoi]
Anatoli
]. Good evening.
[[w:One-night stand|Not all, I'm sure; ''Grabs phone and walks away'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Media Coverage and Crime in Gotham
Kent
It's like a one-man reign of terror. This bat vigilante has been consistently targeting the port and the adjacent projects and tenements. And, as far as I can tell, the cops are actually helping him.
[''To Perry in meeting room'']
Perry
Crime Wave in Gotham". Other breaking news; "Water. Wet". Did you file the football yet?
[''Makes a sweeping gesture'']
Kent
Why aren't we covering this this? Poor people don't buy papers?
Perry
People don't buy papers, period, Kent.
Kent
Perry, when you assign a story, you're making a choice about who matters. And who's worth it.
Perry
Good morning, Smallville. The American conscience died with ], ] and ].
[[w:Robert F. Kennedy|Robert; [w:Martin Luther King, Jr.|Martin; [w:John F. Kennedy|John]
Lois
Sorry. I'm sorry. ] of a bullet] No match. No guys in the crime lab ever seen one before.
[''Enters meeting room''; ''Holding up [[w:Pactiv Evergreen|a baggie]
Perry
It's called a bullet. You shoot people with them.
[''Snatches bag from Lois'']
Lois
Recovered from scene of the firefight in the desert. Not sold anywhere commercially in the world, even black market.
Perry
So?
Lois
So who gave prototype military rounds to ] in ]?
[[w:Tuareg people|Tuareg fighters; [w:Sahara|the Sahara]
Perry
You're the reporter. Tell me.
Lois
I think ] is arming the rebels while claiming to support the elected government!
[[w:Federal government of the United States|the U.S. government]
Perry
The Ask, Lois!
Lois
Flight to ] Couple of days there.
[[w:Washington, D.C.|D.C.]
Perry
Go! Coach. No extra leg room!
Lois
Economy plus.
[''Opens door and turns around pointing'']
Perry
Coach!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Dangerous Discoveries and Professional Responsibilities
Clark
So why didn't you tell me? You're digging up snakes Lo'. It's kind of dangerous.
Lois
That is why I didn't tell you.
[''Condescendingly smirks'']
Perry
Lane, don't you have a plane to catch?
Lois
Yes, sir.
[''Walks away'']
Perry
Benefit for the Library of the Metropolis. Someone on the committee that Clark Kent cover it. Probably some old charity crone who's got a thing for nerds.
[''Hands paper to Clark''; ''Walks away'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Concerns About the Future of the Waynes
Alfred Pennyworth
Oh. I hope the next generation of Waynes don't inherit an empty wine cellar. Not that there's likely to be a next generation.
[''Observes wine bottle, then to Bruce''; ''Under breath'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Questioning Superman's Impact on Lives
TV news reporter
Because the time has come for the world to hear the other side of the story. They say that Superman is a hero. Okay, but whose hero? If Superman were here right now, what would you say to him?
[''Interviewing Kahini with Superman cooking and listening''; ''Superman stops cooking and walks up to TV'']
Kahini Ziri
That my family, too, had dreams. To look him in his eye and ask him how he decides... which lives count, and which ones do not!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Meeting of Influential Figures
Clark Kent
Mr. Wayne! Mr. Wayne! Clark Kent, Daily Planet.
Bruce Wayne
Oh, my foundation has already issued a statement in support of– books.
Clark Kent
Sir?
Bruce Wayne
Wow! Pretty girl – bad habit. Don't quote me, alright?
[''Gazing at Diana Prince'']
Clark Kent
What's your position on the bat vigilante in Gotham?
Bruce Wayne
Daily Planet"– Wait, do I own this one? Or was that the other guy?
Clark Kent
Civil liberties are being trampled on in your city; good people living in fear.
Bruce Wayne
Don't believe everything you hear, son.
Clark Kent
I've seen it, Mr. Wayne. He thinks he's above the law.
Bruce Wayne
The Daily Planet criticizing those who think they're above the law is a little hypocritical, wouldn't you say? Considering every time your hero saves a cat out of a tree, you write a puff-piece editorial about an alien who – if he wanted to, could burn the whole place down. There wouldn't be a damn thing we can do to stop it.
Clark Kent
Most of the world doesn't share your opinion, Mr. Wayne.
Bruce Wayne
Maybe it's that Gotham City in me. We just have a bad history with ].
[[w:Joker (comics)|freaks dressed like clowns]
Lex Luthor
Boys! Mmm, Bruce Wayne meets Clark Kent. Ah, I love it! I love bringing people together! How are we? Hi, hello.
[Shakes Bruce's hand]
Bruce Wayne
Lex.
Lex Luthor
Lex. It is a pleasure– Ow! Wow! That is a good grip! You should not pick a fight with this person!
[''Shakes Clark's hand'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Superman's Relentless Commitment to Justice
Clark Kent / Superman
I'll take you in without breaking you, which is more than you deserve.
[''To Lex'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Debating the Nature of Power and Messiah
Vikram Gandhi
We, as a population on this planet, have been looking for a savior. Ninety percent of people believe in a higher power – and every religion believes in some sort messianic figure. And when this savior character actually comes to Earth, we want to make him abide by our rules? We have to understand that this is a ]. We have to start thinking beyond politics.
[[w:paradigm shift|paradigm shift]
Andrew Sullivan
Are there any moral constraints on this person? We have international law. On this Earth, every act is a political act.
Charlie Rose
Is it really surprising that the most powerful man in the world should be a figure of controversy?
Senator June Finch
To have an individual engaging in these state-level interventions should give us all pause.
Glenn Woodburn
Human beings have a horrible track record of following people with great power down paths that led to huge human atrocities.
Vikram Gandhi
We have always created icons in our own image. What we've done is we project ourselves on to him. The fact is, maybe he's not some sort of Devil or Jesus character. Maybe he’s just a guy trying to do the right thing.
Neil deGrasse Tyson
We're talking about a being whose very existence challenges our own sense of priority in the universe. When you go back to ] where he restored the Sun in the center of the known universe, displacing Earth, and you get to Darwinian evolution and you find out we're not special on this Earth; we're just one among other lifeforms. And now we learn that we're not even special in the entire Universe – because there is Superman. There he is, an alien among us. We're not alone.
[[Copernicus]
Charlie Rose
Are you, as a United States Senator, personally comfortable saying to a grieving parent, "Superman could've saved your child, but on principle we did not want him to act.
Senator June Finch
I'm not saying he shouldn't act. I'm saying he shouldn't act unilaterally.
Charlie Rose
What are we talking about here then? Must there be a Superman?
Senator June Finch
There is.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Perspective on Good and Evil
Lex Luthor
You don't think Dad would mind, do you? If I just... changed one thing in this room? Because that should be upside-down. We know better now, don't we? The devils don't come from hell beneath us. No. No, they come from the sky.
[''To June''; ''Points to painting'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Complexity of Knowledge and Power
Lex Luthor
Me? Ah. Okay. Nicky. Uh... you're embarrassing me. Um... speech, speech. Blah, blah, blah. Uh... open bar. The end. Uh... the word "]" comes from ]. Meaning a lover of humanity. It was coined about 2,500 years ago. Gods and men. ] went with us. And he ruined ] plan to destroy mankind, and for that, he was given a thunderbolt, boom! But on a serious note, the Library of Metropolis. But at one time, Dad could not buy them. No. My father could not afford books growing up. He had to root through the garbage for yesterday's newspaper. ], and I am... No. Uh, um... no. What am I? I... what was I saying? No. The bittersweet pain among men is having knowledge with no power, because... because that is paradoxical! And, um... Thank you for coming. Please drink! Drink!
[''Nicky announces Lex's presence at benefit gala''; ''Gets on stage''; ''Diana turns to look at Bruce''; ''Bruce walks away''; [wikt:philanthropist|philanthropist; [w:Greek language|the Greek; ''Alfred gives Bruce instructions of direction''; [w:Prometheus|Prometheus; [w:Zeus|Zeus'; ''Diane stares unimpressed''; [w:Scientia potentia est|Books are knowledge and knowledge is power; ''sheepishly chuckles''; ''sheepishly chuckles''; ''Benefit gala guests start applauding'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Illusion of Magical Thinking
Lex Luthor
A little ] before lunch? No bourbon?! Kentucky girl like yourself?! Hmm. My dad always said that Kentucky mash was the secret to health. Hmm. This was his room. I kept it just the same. Hmm. "Maybe one day Dad'll come back if I just keep everything the same". Hmm-mm. That is silly. The magical thinking of orphan boys.
[''To June entering his quarters''; [w:bourbon|bourbon; ''June subtlety declines'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation Over Missed Communication
Swannick
Wrong room Miss.
[''Lois approaches him washing hands in restroom'']
Lois
Secretary Swannick, you haven't been returning my phone calls.
Swannick
Miss Lane, if you'd like an interview, Major Farris is just outside that door.
Lois
You're treating me like a stranger?
Swannick
I'm treating you like a reporter.
Lois
All right. Is the U.S. government providing experimental military arms to rebels in Africa?
Swannick
You know, with balls like yours, you belong in here. What's your source on this? ]
[''Walks away''; [w:Tin foil hat|A tin-foil hat?]
Lois
No, not tin. But it's metal. Fired in the Superman incident. Experts at ] can't ID it. We haven't been told the truth.
[''Follows him holding up a baggie of bullet''; [w:The Pentagon|The Pentagon]
Swannick
Here's the truth. A reporter got greed for a scoop and went where she shouldn't have. Superman acted like some rogue combatant to rescue her, and people died. Don't invent a conspiracy theory to put back his halo. Or yours.
[''Walks up to her''; ''Walks away'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.