Robert the Bruce quotes from Braveheart (1995)

Robert the Bruce

I shall tell you of William Wallace. Historians from England will say that I am a liar, but history is written by those who have hanged heroes. The King of Scotland had died without a son, and the king of England, a cruel pagan known as Edward the Longshanks, claimed the throne for himself. Scotland's nobles fought him, and fought each other, over the crown. So Longshanks invited them to talks of truce. No weapons, one page only. Among the farmers of that shire was Malcolm Wallace, a commoner, with his own lands. He had two sons: John and William.

Robert the Bruce

Many years later, Edward the Longshanks, King of England, supervised the wedding of his eldest son, who would succeed him to the throne. As bride for his son, Longshanks had chosen the daughter of his rival, the King of France. It was widely whispered that for the princess to conceive, Longshanks would have to do the honors himself. That may have been what he had in mind all along.

Robert the Bruce

You have bled with Wallace, now bleed with me.

Robert the Bruce

A rebellion has begun.

Robert Bruce, Sr.

Under whom?

Robert the Bruce

A commoner named William Wallace.

Robert Bruce Sr.

We will embrace this rebellion. You will support it from our lands in the north. I will gain English favor by condemning it, and ordering it opposed from our lands in the south. Sit down. Stay a while.

Robert the Bruce

This Wallace, he doesn't even have a knighthood, but he fights with passion and he inspires.

Robert Bruce, Sr.

And you wish to charge off and fight as he did. So would I.

Robert the Bruce

Well, maybe it's time.

Robert Bruce, Sr.

It is time to survive. You're the 17th Robert Bruce. The 16 before you passed you land and title because they didn't charge in. Call a meeting of the nobles.

Robert the Bruce

But they do nothing but talk.

Robert Bruce, Sr.

Rightly so. They're as rich in English titles and lands as they are in Scottish, just as we are. Admire this man, this William Wallace. Uncompromising men are easy to admire. He has courage, so does a dog. But it is exactly the ability to compromise that makes a man noble. And understand this: Edward Longshanks is the most ruthless king ever to sit in the thrown of England. And none of us, and nothing of Scotland will remain, unless we are as ruthless. Give in to our nobles. Knowing their minds is the key to the throne.

Robert the Bruce

Wait! I respect what you said, but remember that these men have lands and castles. It's much to risk.

William

And the common man who bleeds on the battlefield, does he risk less?

Robert the Bruce

No, but from top to bottom this country has no sense of itself. Its nobles share allegiance with England. Its clans war with each other. If you make enemies on both sides of the border, you'll end up dead.

William

We all end up dead; it's just a question of how and why.

Robert the Bruce

I'm not a coward. I want what you want, but we need the nobles.

William

We need them?

Robert the Bruce

Aye.

William

Now tell me, what does that mean to be noble? Your title gives you claim to the thrown of our country, but men don't follow titles, they follow courage. Now our people know you. Noble, and common, they respect you. And if you would just lead them to freedom, they'd follow you. And so would I.

Craig

With such a force of raid against us, it is time to discuss other options.

William

Other options? Don't you wish at least to lead your men onto the field and barter a better deal with Longshanks before you tuck tail and run?

Robert the Bruce

Sir William -

Craig

We can not defeat this army.

William

We can!

Robert

Sir William -

William

And we will! We won at Stirling, and still you quibble. We won at York and you would not support us. If you will not stand up with us now then I say you're a coward. And if you are Scotsmen, I am ashamed to call myself one.

Robert

Please, Sir William, I must speak with you alone... I beg you. Now you've achieved more than anyone ever dreamed, but fighting these odds it looks like rage, not courage.

William

It's well beyond rage. Help me. In the name of Christ help yourselves. Now is our chance, now. If we join, we can win. If we win, well then we'll have what none of us have ever had before: a country of our own. You are the rightful leader, and there is strength in you. I see it. Unite us. Unite us. Unite the clans.

Robert Bruce, Sr.

I'm the one who's rotting, but I think your face looks graver than mine. Son, we must have alliance with England to prevail here. You achieved that. You saved your family, increased your land. In time, you will have all the power in Scotland.

Robert the Bruce

Lands, titles, men, power... nothing.

Robert Bruce, Sr.

Nothing?

Robert the Bruce

I have nothing. Men fight for me because if they do not, I throw them off my land and I starve their wives and children. Those men who bled the ground red at Falkirk fought for William Wallace. He fights for something that I never had. And I took it from him, when I betrayed him. I saw it in his face on the battlefield and it's tearing me apart.

Robert Bruce, Sr.

All men betray. All lose heart.

Robert the Bruce

I DON'T WANT TO LOSE HEART!!!. I want to believe as he does. I will never be on the wrong side again.

Robert the Bruce

Father! You. Rotting. Bastard. Why? Why?

Robert Bruce, Sr.

Longshanks required Wallace. So did our nobles. That was the price of your crown.

Robert the Bruce

Die! I want you to die.

Robert Bruce, Sr.

Soon enough I'll be dead. And you'll be king.

Robert the Bruce

I don't want anything from you. You're not a man, and you're not my father.

Robert Bruce, Sr.

You are my son, and you have always known my mind.

Robert the Bruce

You deceived me.

Robert Bruce, Sr.

You let yourself be deceived. In your heart, you always knew what had to happen here. At last, you know what it means to hate. Now you're ready to be a king.

Robert the Bruce

My hate will die ... with you.

Lord Craig, is it true about Mornay?

Craig

Aye. Wallace rode into his bead chamber and killed him. More a liability now then ever he was. And there's no telling who'll be next.

Robert the Bruce

Maybe you. Maybe me. [chuckles] It doesn't matter.

Craig

I'm serious, Robert.

Robert the Bruce

SO AM I!