Dead Poets Society quotes

View Quote [talking about the people in the old awards pictures] They're not that different from you, are they? Same haircuts. Full of hormones, just like you. Invincible, just like you feel. The world is their oyster. They believe they're destined for great things, just like many of you, their eyes are full of hope, just like you. Did they wait until it was too late to make from their lives even one iota of what they were capable? Because, you see gentlemen, these boys are now fertilizing daffodils. But if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. [the students lean in] Listen, you hear it? [whispers in a raspy voice] - - Carpe - - hear it? - - Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary. Note: the bolded portion is ranked #95 in the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 movie quotations in American cinema.

View Quote Gloria: Don't you guys miss having girls around here?
Meeks, Pitts: [yell in unison] Yeah!

View Quote Pitts: Your father collects pipes? Oh, that really interesting.

View Quote If I were ever going to buy a deskset twice, I'd probably buy this one... both times.

View Quote Hager: That wouldn't be a radio in your lap, would it Mr. Pitts?
Pitts: No sir. Science experiment, radar.

View Quote Boys, you must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all. Thoreau said, "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation." Don't be resigned to that. Break out!

View Quote Keating: Why do I stand up here? Anybody?
Charlie: To feel taller.
Keating: No! Thank you for playing, Mr. Dalton. I stand upon my desk to remind yourself that we must constantly look at things in a different way.

View Quote Mr. Nolan: Gentlemen, turn to page 21 of the introduction. Mr. Cameron, read aloud the excellent essay by Dr. Pritchard on "Understanding Poetry."
Cameron: That page has been ripped out, sir.
Mr. Nolan: Well, borrow somebody else's book.
Cameron: They're all ripped out, sir.
Mr. Nolan: What do you mean, they're all ripped out?

View Quote Neil: You kicked out?
Charlie: No.
Neil: What happened?
Charlie: I'm to apologize to the school, turn everyone in, and all will be forgiven.
Neil: What are you gunna do? ... Charlie?
Charlie: DAMN IT NEIL... the name's Nuwanda...

View Quote Mr. Pitts, taking his time. He knew he'll get there one day. Mr. Cameron, you could see him thinking, "Is this right? It might be right. It might be right. I know that. Maybe not. I don't know." Mr. Overstreet, driven by deeper force. Yes. We know that.

View Quote I mean, I haven't even gotten the part yet. Can't I even enjoy the idea for a little while?

View Quote Mr. Anderson! Don't think that I don't know that this assignment scares the hell out of you! You mole!

View Quote We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, "O me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless... of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?" Answer. That you are here - that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?

View Quote There is a time for daring and a time for caution, and a wise man knows which is called for.

View Quote This is a battle, a war, and the casualties could be your hearts and souls.