Fireproof (2008) - Quotes

A Moment of Revelation in Marriage

Catherine Holt: Caleb, what's happened to you?

Caleb Holt: Dad asked me if there was anything in me that wanted to save our marriage. And then he gave me something. I could let you read it...

Catherine Holt: Was it this?

Caleb Holt: How long have you known?

Catherine Holt: I found it yesterday. So what day are you on?

Caleb Holt: 43.

Catherine Holt: There's only 40.

Caleb Holt: Well, who says I have to stop?

Catherine Holt: Caleb, I don't know how to process this. This is not normal for you.

Caleb Holt: Welcome to the new normal.

Catherine Holt: You didn't want to do this at first, did you?

Caleb Holt: No. But halfway through, I realized that I did not understand what love was. And once I understood that, I wanted to do it.

Catherine Holt: Caleb, I want to believe that this is real. But I am not ready to say that I trust you again.

Caleb Holt: I understand that. But whether you ever reach that point or not, I need you to understand something. I am sorry. I have been so selfish. For the past seven years, I have trampled on you with my words and with my actions. I have loved other things when I should have loved you. And the last few weeks, God has given me a love for you that I have never had before. And I've asked Him to forgive me. And I'm hoping, and I'm praying, that somehow you would be able to forgive me too. Catherine, I do not want to live the rest of my life without you.

Catherine Holt: Caleb, I'm supposed to give those divorce papers to my lawyer next week. I just, um...I just need some time to think.

Caleb Holt: You can have all the time you need.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Frustration in an Unappreciative Relationship

John Holt: Caleb, if I were to ask you why you're so frustrated with Catherine, what would you say?

Caleb Holt: She's stubborn. She makes everything difficult for me. She's ungrateful. She's constantly griping about something.

John Holt: Has she thanked you for anything you've done for her the past twenty days?

Caleb Holt: No! And you'd think, after I've washed the car, I've changed the oil, do the dishes, clean the house, that she would try to show me a little bit of gratitude. But she doesn't! In fact, when I come home, she makes me feel like I'm an enemy! I'm not even welcome in my own home, dad! That is what really ticks me off! Dad, for the last three weeks, I have bent over backwards for her! I have tried to demonstrate that I still care about this relationship. I bought her flowers, which she threw away! I have taken her insults and sarcasm, but last night was it! I made dinner for her, I did everything I could to demonstrate that I care about her, to show value for her, and she spat in my face! She does not deserve this, dad! I am not doing it anymore! How am I supposed to show love to somebody over and over and over again who constantly rejects me?!

John Holt: [Stands by a wooden statue of the cross] That's a good question.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Understanding Respect in Marriage Conflicts

Catherine's Girlfriend: That's right, girl. Stand your ground. Make him respect you. If there is one thing a man understands...

Caleb Holt: ...it's respect. That's the issue. That's the reason our marriage is failing. She shows me no respect at all. And the saddest part about it is...

Catherine Holt: ...he doesn't have a clue. He thinks that our marriage is fine for the most part. You know, he probably thinks...

Caleb Holt: Our marriage has been fine until this year! Now, she just goes off the deep end!

Michael Simmons: [Not fully buying into it] Do you really think this just happened all of a sudden?

Caleb Holt: I don't know what to think! I don't understand her! She's emotional about everything. She's easily offended, and way too sensitive.

Catherine Holt: I mean, he's so insensitive! You know, he doesn't truly care how I feel, he doesn't listen to me.

Caleb Holt: And then she starts nagging me, and saying I don't listen to her, or, something like that. It drives me crazy! I feel like I'm going...

Catherine Holt: ...insane. You know, he doesn't understand my needs. I feel like we are completely and totally...

Caleb Holt: ...incompatible. She's probably whining to her friends, making me sound like a criminal. I can see them right now you know, cryin and having some sort of group hug...

Michael Simmons: So you think it's past the point of no return?

Caleb Holt: I don't even have a reason to return.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

The Complexity of Marriage Commitments

Michael Simmons: What's that ring on your finger mean?

Caleb: It means I'm married.

Michael Simmons: Yeah, well it also means, you made a lifelong covenant, by putting on that ring, saying your vows. The sad part about it is, when most people promise for better or for worse, they really only mean for the better.

Caleb Holt: Catherine and I were in love when we got married. But today, we're two completely different people.

Michael Simmons: Caleb, salt and pepper are completely different. Alright, their make-up is different, their taste, and their color. But you always see them together. And when you...hold on a second.

Caleb Holt: What are you doing? Hey, Michael, what'd you do that for?

Michael Simmons: Caleb, when two people get married, it's for better, or, for worse, for richer, or, for poorer, in sickness, and, in health.

Caleb Holt: [Annoyed] I know that. But some marriages aren't fireproof. Sometimes, you get burned.

Michael Simmons: Fireproof doesn't mean that a fire will never come. But that when it does, you'll be able to withstand it.

Caleb Holt: You didn't have to glue them together.

Michael Simmons: Don't do it, Caleb. If you pull them apart now, you'll end up breaking either one, or both of them.

Caleb Holt: I am not a perfect person, but better than most. And if my marriage is failing, it is not all my fault.

Michael Simmons: But Caleb, man, I've seen you rush inside a burning building, saving people you don't even know! But you're gonna let your own marriage just burn to the ground.

Caleb Holt: [Raises to leave] Caleb, you are my friend. And I've allowed you to speak freely on this matter. Don't push it.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Conflict Over Responsibilities in a Marriage

Caleb Holt: Why do you have to make everything so difficult?

Catherine Holt: Oh, I'm making everything difficult? Seems to me like I'm carrying the weight around here while you're off doing your own thing.

Caleb Holt: Excuse me?! I'm the one out there working to pay this mortgage and I pay for both of the cars!

Catherine Holt: Yeah, and that's all you do! I'm the one paying all of our bills with my salary!

Caleb Holt: Which you agreed to do. That's fair. Do you not like this house? Do you not like your car?

Catherine Holt: Caleb, who takes care of this house? Me! Who washes all the clothes? Me! Who gets all the groceries? Me! Not to mention I'm helping my parents every weekend. You know, I've got all this pressure on me, and the only thing you ever do for anybody is yourself!

Caleb Holt: Let me tell you something, you don't know the first thing about pressure, alright? You think I put out house fires for myself? Or rush to car wrecks at 2:00 am for myself? Or pull a child's body out of a lake for myself? You have no idea what I go through!

Catherine Holt: Oh, yeah, well, what do you do around other than watch TV, or waste time on the internet? You know what, if looking at that trash is how you get fulfilled, that's fine. But I will not compete with it.

Caleb Holt: Well, I sure don't get it from you!

Catherine Holt: And you won't! Because you care more about saving for your stupid boat and pleasing yourself than you ever did about me!

Caleb Holt: SHUT UP!!! I'M SICK OF YOU, YOU DISRESPECTFUL, UNGRATEFUL, SELFISH WOMAN!!!

Catherine Holt: I'm not selfish...

Caleb Holt: HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO ME?!! YOU CONSTANTLY NAG ME AND YOU GRIND THE LIFE OUT OF ME! I'M TIRED OF IT! IF YOU CAN'T GIVE ME THE RESPECT I DESERVE--LOOK AT ME! THEN WHAT'S THE POINT OF THIS MARRIAGE?!

Catherine Holt: [Voice shaking, on the verge of tears] I want out. I just want out.

Caleb Holt: If you want out...THAT'S FINE WITH ME!!!

The Nature of Unconditional Love

John Holt: Son, you just asked me how can someone show love over and over again when they're constantly rejected. The answer is, you can't love her because you can't give her what you don't have. God loves you, even though you don't deserve it. Even though you've rejected Him, spat in His face.

Love and Standards in Faith

John Holt: Have you loved God, the One who gave you life? His standards are so high, He considers hatred to be murder, and lust to be adultery.

Consequences of Actions Beyond Heroism

John Holt: Son, saving someone from a fire doesn't make you right with God. You've broken His commandments, and one day, you'll answer to Him for that.