Puyi quotes from The Last Emperor (1987)

This isn't a school; it's a prison. A real prison.

After a few years, the tiny republic had become as corrupt as the old Empire. It fell quickly into the hands of ambitious generals and corrupt bureaucrats.

Anything Western was good. Especially Wrigley's chewing gum, Bayer aspirin, and cars.

Perhaps you think we're here to teach men to lie in a new way? [Puyi continues working as if trying to ignore the Governor] Why did you sign every accusation made against you? I didn't stop you from killing yourself to see you like this! Someone who will sign anything to please his enemies... to please me! [Puyi continues working] You knew about a lot of things in Manchukuo... even the secret agreements. But you couldn't possibly have known about the Japanese biological warfare experiments in Harbin! Could you? So why did you sign these papers?

I was responsible for everything.

You are responsible for what you do! All your life you thought you were better than everyone else. Now you think you're the worst of all!

Why can you not leave me alone? You saved my life to make me a puppet in your own play. You saved me because I am useful to you.

Is that so terrible? To be useful?