John Strock quotes from Master of the World (1961)

And you expect us to believe, sir, that because you gave that ship warning, that your actions of this afternoon were justifiable?

Robur

I expect nothing, sir.

What you did was an act of pure barbarism, and were it not for the love I bear my daughter, and for the respect and esteem in which I hold Mr. Evans and Mr. Strock, I would rather the four of us perish in the sea than that this hell ship be preserved for the commission of further atrocities.

Robur

Was it not an atrocity that that warship was built for the sole purpose of destruction?

And do you consider yourself, sir, a government unto yourself, that you can condemn other nations and wantonly declare war upon them?

Robur

I am a man unto myself, Mr. Prudent, who has declared war against war! That is my purpose, sir! The purpose for which this ship was built! To end for all time the scourge of warfare!

John Strock

How do you propose to do that, sir?

Robur

By using the threat of invincible power, Mr. Strock. Or if necessary by using that power itself as you saw this afternoon.

Robur

You're an intelligent man, Mr. Strock. Surely you must appreciate my ultimate objective.

John Strock

I would also have to believe in your method of achieving this objective. I don't.

Robur

What alternate method is there that would not require centuries more of violence and bloodshed? No. It is too long to wait. With courage and daring, worldwide peace can be achieved now.

John Strock

Not with my help, Mr. Robur.

So, you survived to once more knuckle down to him. No good to smile at me, Mr. Strock, I heard you promise not to interfere with him.

John Strock

Did you? What would you say, Mr. Evans, if I told you that I will not only interfere with him, but I will stop him?

I heard you give your word of honor to him!

John Strock

This is the world we're living in! Not a drawing room! So don't speak to me about words of honor. We happen to be prisoners on the ship of a man who would willingly destroy the world in order to save it, Mr. Evans. The world! Reality! Now open your eyes and look at it hard. What should I have done? Proclaimed in ringing, gentlemanly tones that I would resist him to my last breath? Well, believe me, Mr. Evans, that last breath would be shortly forthcoming!

John Strock

It was risk enough to refuse joining forces with him. I think that was a mistake. If I had joined forces with him, I could've found his weaknesses more easily. Now I'll have to work in the dark, Mr. Evans, but at least I'm alive to do so! Perhaps somewhat less than a perfect gentleman, but alive.

Without honor, sir!

John Strock

Oohh, honor be damned, Mr. Evans!