Daniel LaRusso This damn bike. I hate this bike. I hate this frigging bike. Stupid bike.
Daniel! What's the matter? Why did you throw your bike away?
Daniel LaRusso Because I felt like it, Mum.
Most-quoted character in The Karate Kid (1984): in 20 of its 35 quotes
Most scenes with: Mr. Kesuke Miyagi (11), Lucille (3)
Scenes with Daniel LaRusso
20 scenes Daniel LaRusso Daniel LaRusso Daniel LaRusso How come you didn't tell me?
Tell you what?
Daniel LaRusso That you knew karate?
You never ask?
Daniel LaRusso Well, where did you learn it?
Father.
Daniel LaRusso But I thought he was a fisherman.
In Okinawa, all Miyagi know two things: fish and karate. Karate come from China, sixteenth century, called te, "hand". Hundred year later, Miyagi ancestor bring to Okinawa, call karate. "empty hand".
Daniel LaRusso I always thought it came from Buddhist temples and stuff like that.
You too much TV.
Daniel LaRusso That what my mother tells me.
Fighting always answer to problem.
Daniel LaRusso No offense, Mr Miyajee, but I don't think you understand my problem...
[interrupting]
Mi... ya... gi... understand problem perfect. Your friend, all karate student, eh?
Daniel LaRusso Friend? Oh, yeah, those guys.
Problem: attitude.
Daniel LaRusso No the problem is, I'm getting my ass kicked every other day, that's the problem.
Because boys have bad attitude. Karate for defense only.
Daniel LaRusso That's not what these guys are taught.
Hai - can see. No such thing as bad student, only bad teacher. Teacher say, student do.
Daniel LaRusso Oh, great, that solves everything for me. I'll just go down to the school and straighten it out with the teacher, no problem.
Now use head for something other than target.
Daniel LaRusso Hey, I was just kidding about that.
Why kidding?
Daniel LaRusso Because I'll get killed if I go down there.
Get killed anyway.
Daniel LaRusso Hey, what kind of belt do you have?
Canvas. J.C. Penny. Three ninety-eight. You like. [laughs]
Daniel LaRusso No, I meant...
In Okinawa, belt mean no need rope to hold up pants. [laughs; then, seriously] Daniel-san, karate here. [taps his head] Karate here. [taps his heart] Karate never here. [points to his belt] Understand?
Daniel LaRusso I think so.
Now, ready?
Daniel LaRusso Yeah, I guess so.
[sighs]
Daniel-san, must talk. [they both kneel] Walk on road, hm? Walk left side, safe. Walk right side, safe. Walk middle, sooner or later, [makes squish gesture] get squish just like grape. Here, karate, same thing. Either you karate do "yes", or karate do "no". You karate do "guess so", [makes squish gesture] just like grape. Understand?
Daniel LaRusso Yeah, I understand.
Now, ready?
Daniel LaRusso Yeah, I'm ready.
First make sacred pact. I promise teach karate. That my part. You promise learn. I say, you do, no questions. That your part.
First, wash all car. Then wax. Wax on...
Daniel LaRusso Hey, why do I have to...?
Ah ah! Remember deal! No questions!
Daniel LaRusso Yeah, but...
Hai! [makes circular gestures with each hand] Wax on, right hand. Wax off, left hand. Wax on, wax off. Breathe in through nose, out of mouth. Wax on, wax off. Don't forget to breathe, very important. [walks away, still making circular motions with hands] Wax on... wax off. Wax on... wax off.
Daniel LaRusso Hey where do these old cars come from?
Detroit.
Daniel LaRusso Wouldn't a fly swatter be easier?
Man who catch fly with chopsticks accomplish anything.
Daniel LaRusso Ever catch one?
Not yet.
Daniel LaRusso What where you doing on those stumps over there?
Called crane technique.
Daniel LaRusso Does it work?
If do right, no can defense.
Daniel LaRusso Could you teach me?
First learn stand, then learn fly. Nature rule, Daniel-san, not mine.
Daniel LaRusso Where did you learn it from?
Father teach.
Daniel LaRusso You must have had some father, man
Oh, yes.
Excuse me, please. Boy cold. Must leave. Kindly remove bottles.
Drunk
Kindly do it yourself, Mr. Moto.
Daniel LaRusso [Miyagi karate-chops the tops of three beer bottles]
How did you do that? How did you do that?
Don't know. First time.
[on Daniel's birthday, after having already giving him a present]
Go outside. Something show you.
Daniel LaRusso What?
Number two present. [leads Daniel outside]
Daniel LaRusso [walking and talking]
Number two present? You don't have to give me anything. You've given me enough already. [Miyagi keeps walking, silently] No really, I'm serious.
Daniel LaRusso [surprised and hesitant]
Oh, no...
Hai! Hurt old man feeling. [points again] Choose.
Daniel LaRusso You're the best friend I've ever had!
You... pretty OK, too. Go, find balance. [chuckles]
Daniel LaRusso Hey, banzai!
Daniel LaRusso [louder]
Banzai!
Daniel La Russo
[shouts back]
Banzai!
Daniel LaRusso You're the best friend I've ever had!
You... pretty OK, too. Go, find balance. [chuckles]
Daniel LaRusso Hey, banzai!
Daniel LaRusso [louder]
Banzai!
Daniel La Russo
[shouts back]
Banzai!
California, here we come! California...oh, what is the matter, Daniel? You don't like my singing?
Daniel I don't like the song, Ma.
[Lucille halts her station wagon in front of the South Seas apartment complex]
This is it, Daniel, end of the line!
Daniel You're telling me.
Will you look at those palm trees? Damn Daniel! You know what this means?
Daniel Yeah. Watch out for falling coconuts.
Freddy
[Lucille unpacks the car while Daniel looks around new apartment complex]
Hey, are you new here?
Daniel Yeah, I came from Newark, New Jersey. My name's Daniel LaRusso.
Freddy
I'm Freddy Fernandez. Welcome to California. [offers a handshake to Daniel] Hey, we were having an end-of-summer clambake on the beach tomorrow night, want to come?
Daniel Sure!
Woman
[Daniel looks for an apartment, while passing a woman holding a small dog]
This place is a dump. You should return to Newark!
Daniel How did you know I was from Newark?
Woman
I overheard your conversation with Freddy. I'm a Jersey girl myself, from Parsippany. I never should have left.
Daniel Parsippany? I got an Uncle Louie from Parsippany!
Woman
Louis Fontini?
Daniel No, Louie LaRusso.
Woman
Don't know him.
[Daniel is bicycling home when Johnny's gang ambush him]
Looking for a shortcut back to Newark, Daniel?
No, he wants to learn karate! Well, here's your first lesson: how to take a fall!
Don't think about the pain.
Daniel [Cobras shove Daniel into a ravine then ride away laughing uproariously. Daniel trudges home then throws the bike in a dumpster. At the same time, Lucille returns to the apartment complex to witness Daniel's breakdown]
This damn bike. I hate this bike. I hate this frigging bike. This stupid bike! I hate it! Stupid bike.
Daniel! What's the matter?
Daniel NOTHING!
Why did you throw your bike away?
Daniel Because I felt like it, Mum.
Please look at me when I'm talking to you (sees Daniel's bruises) Oh my god! Can you tell me what's going on? And don't tell me about another bike accident!
Daniel What do you want to hear, ma?
The truth is-
Daniel No you don't want to hear the truth. All you want to hear is how great it is. Well, it may be great to you but it SUCKS for me! I hate this place! I HATE IT!! I just want to go home! Why can't we just go back home?
Listen to me, I cannot help you unless you tell me what's wrong!
Daniel I gotta take karate lessons.
You took karate!
Daniel No, not at the Y at a good school.
But, fighting doesn't solve anything Daniel.
Daniel Well, neither does palm trees, ma.
That's not fair!
Daniel Like it was fair coming over here without asking me how I felt about it. Right, that was really fair.
You're right. I should've asked.
Daniel Yeah, well, I just wanna go home. That's it. I don't understand the rules here and I want to go home.
Let's clean you up and maybe we can figure out the rules here together. What about your bike?
Daniel It's safer taking a bus. Why can't we just go home? Why can't we just go home and forget this place?
[He and his mother go upstairs. Their argument was overheard by Mr. Miyagi, who emerges from his office, troubled over Daniel's problem]
Mr. Miyagi
Fighting always last answer to problem.
Daniel No offense, Mr Miyajee, but I don't think you understand my problem...
Mr. Miyagi
[interrupting]
Mi... ya... gi... understand problem perfect. Your friend, all karate student, eh?
Daniel Friend? Oh, yeah, those guys.
Mr. Miyagi
Problem: attitude.
Daniel No the problem is, I'm getting my ass kicked every other day, that's the problem.
Mr. Miyagi
Because boys have bad attitude. Karate for defense only.
Daniel That's not what these guys are taught.
Mr. Miyagi
Hai - can see. No such thing as bad student, only bad teacher. Teacher say, student do.
Daniel Oh, great, that solves everything for me. I'll just go down to the school and straighten it out with the teacher, no problem.
Mr. Miyagi
Now use head for something other than target, Daniel-san.
Daniel I was only kidding.
Mr. Miyagi
Why?
Daniel Because I'd get killed if I showed up there.
Mr. Miyagi
Get killed anyway.
Daniel Would you go with me?
Mr. Miyagi
No can do.
Daniel Why? You said it was a good idea.
Mr. Miyagi
For you, good idea. For me, good idea no get involved.
Daniel But you're already involved.
Mr. Miyagi
Very sorry.
Daniel Well thanks for nothing then! Thanks for nothing. Like I didn't have enough problems already. Now I gotta carry your weight too. Thanks. Don't do me any more favors pal alright?
Mr. Miyagi
Daniel-san.
Daniel What?
Mr. Miyagi
OK, I go.
Daniel Oh thanks! Thanks Mr. Miyajee.
Mr. Miyagi
Miyagi.
Daniel Miyagi. Hey, what kind of belt do you have?
Mr. Miyagi
Canvas. J.C. Penney. $3.98. You like? [laughs]
Daniel No, I meant...
Mr. Miyagi
In Okinawa, belt mean no need rope to hold up pants. [laughs; then, seriously] Daniel-san, karate here. [taps his head] Karate here. [taps his heart] Karate never here. [points to his belt] Understand?
Daniel I think so.
Mr. Miyagi
Good night, Daniel-san.
Daniel Good night, Mr. Miyajee. Miyagi! Miyagi. Tomorrow morning?
Mr. Miyagi
Ten o'clock.
Mr. Miyagi
Now, ready?
Daniel Yeah, I guess so.
Mr. Miyagi
[sighs]
Daniel-san, must talk. [they both kneel] Walk on road, hm? Walk left side, safe. Walk right side, safe. Walk middle, sooner or later, [makes squish gesture] get squished, just like grape. Here, karate, same thing. Either you karate do "yes", or karate do "no". You karate do "guess so", [makes squish gesture] just like grape. Understand?
Daniel Yeah, I understand.
Mr. Miyagi
Now, ready?
Daniel Yeah, I'm ready. [he and Mr Miyagi stand up again]
Mr. Miyagi
First make sacred pact. [Daniel scratches his nose, whilst Miyagi puts the bandana on Daniel's forehead] I promise teach karate. That my part. [turns Daniel around] You promise learn. [ties one knot in the bandana] I say, you do, [ties another knot in the bandana] no questions. That your part. [Daniel turns around again] Deal?
Daniel It's a deal. [he holds his right hand out, as though expecting Miyagi to shake it. Instead, Miyagi bends down, takes the sponge out of the bucket, straightens up and thrusts the sponge into Daniel's outstretched hand]
Mr. Miyagi
First, wash all the car. Then wax. Wax on...
Daniel Hey, why do I have to...?
Mr. Miyagi
Ah ah! Remember deal! No questions!
Daniel Yeah, but...
Mr. Miyagi
Hai! [makes circular gestures with each hand] Wax on, right hand. Wax off, left hand. Wax on, wax off. Breathe in through nose, out of mouth. Wax on, wax off. Don't forget to breathe, very important. [walks away, still making circular motions with hands] Wax on... wax off. Wax on... wax off.
Daniel Hey, where did these cars come from?
Mr. Miyagi
[stops walking, turns around]
Detroit! [turns around, resumes walking away, still muttering "Wax on, wax off" to himself and making circular gestures with his hands as he walks]
Mr. Miyagi
[Mr. Miyagi comes home from fishing and finds Daniel close to finishing painting his house.]
Oop. Miss spot.
Daniel What spot? Hey, how come you didn't tell me you were going fishing?
Mr. Miyagi
You not here when I go.
Daniel Maybe I would've like to have gone. You ever think about that?
Mr. Miyagi
You karate training.
Daniel I'm WHAT?! I'm being your goddamn slave man is what I'm being! Now we made a deal here.
Mr. Miyagi
So?
Daniel So? So you're supposed to teach and I'm supposed to learn remember? For four days, I've been busting my ass and I haven't learned a goddamn thing!
Mr. Miyagi
Hah, learn plenty!
Daniel I've learned plenty! I've learned how to sand your decks maybe! How about wash your cars, paint your house, paint your fence. I've learned plenty!
Mr. Miyagi
Oh, Daniel-san not everything is as seems.
Daniel Oh bullshit! I'm going home man!
Mr. Miyagi
Daniel-san! DANIEL-SAN!!
Daniel What?
Mr. Miyagi
Show me sand-the-floor.
Daniel I can't move my arm, alright? [Mr. Miyagi claps then rubs his hands quickly] What are you doing? What? [Mr. Miyagi starts massaging Daniel's arm] Ow! Ow, what are you doing?
Mr. Miyagi
Now show me sand-the-floor.
Daniel [Daniel's pain has been suppressed]
How did you do that?
Mr. Miyagi
SHOW!
Daniel I'm just scared. You know, the tournament and everything...
Mr. Miyagi
You remember lesson about balance?
Daniel Yeah.
Mr. Miyagi
Lesson not just karate only. Lesson for whole life. Whole life have a balance. Everything be better.
Official
[Daniel, Mr. Miyagi and Ali go out onto the tournament quadrangle, where they are stopped by an official.]
Hold it. Only teachers and students on the competition floor. I'm sorry.
Daniel Oh, but he doesn't speak English and I can't understand his instructions without her. She's his translator.
Official
[Mr. Miyagi says something unintelligible.]
What did he say?
Ali
He said you reminded him of an uncle of his in Tokyo.
Official
[flattered]
Well, I guess it is all right.
Official
[Mr. Miyagi says something unintelligible.]
What's that?
Ali
He says you're very kind.
Official
Thank you.
Mr. Miyagi
Welcome.
Score is tied 2-2. The next point will mean the end of the tournament. Daniel assumes the crane kick position. As Johnny advances, Daniel does the crane kick to his head.
Referee
Winner!
Ring Announcer
The new champion! Daniel LaRusso!
Audience cheers. Both Mrs. LaRusso and Ali rush out to the mat hug Daniel
Oh, Daniel!
Ali
All right!
[everyone hoists up Daniel; Johnny hands Daniel the trophy]
You're all right, Larusso, Good match!
Daniel Thanks a lot! [whoops] Hey! Hey, Mr. Miyagi! We did it, We did it! All right! [whoops victoriously]
[Mr. Miyagi nods and smiles]
