Morpheus There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.
Most-quoted character in The Matrix (1999): in 36 of its 134 quotes
Most scenes with: Neo (9)
The Matrix is a system, Neo. That system is our enemy. When you're inside, you look around, what do you see? Businessmen, teachers, lawyers, carpenters. The very minds of people we're trying to save, but until we do, these people are still a part of that system and that makes them our enemy. You have to understand that most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system that they will fight to protect it. Were you listening to me, Neo? Or were you looking at the woman in the red dress?
More lines from Morpheus
25 quotes Morpheus Morpheus Don't think you are, know you are.
Morpheus What is real? How do you define real? If you're talking about what you can hear, what you can smell, taste and feel then real is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain.
Morpheus You've been living in a dreamworld, Neo.
Morpheus It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.
Morpheus He's beginning to believe.
Morpheus Do you believe that my being stronger or faster has anything to do with my muscles in this place? You think that's air you're breathing now?
Morpheus Stop trying to hit me and hit me!
Morpheus Have you ever had a dream, Neo, that you were so sure was real? What if you were unable to wake from that dream? How would you know the difference between the dream world and the real world?
Morpheus Unfortunately, no one can be told what The Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.
Morpheus I'm trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it.
Morpheus You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.
Morpheus Remember, all I am offering is the truth. Nothing more.
Morpheus You have to let it all go, Neo. Fear, doubt, and disbelief. Free your mind.
Morpheus Welcome to the real world.
Morpheus Look again. Freeze it.
Morpheus No. It's another training program designed to teach you one thing. If you are not one of us, you are one of them.
Morpheus Sentient programs. They can move in and out of any software still hardwired to their system. That means that anyone we haven't unplugged is potentially an agent.
Morpheus Inside the Matrix, they are everyone and they are no one.
Morpheus We have survived by hiding from them, by running from them. But they are the gatekeepers. They are guarding all the doors, they are holding all the keys which means that sooner or later, someone is going to have to fight them.
Morpheus I won't lie to you, Neo. Every single man or woman who has stood their ground, everyone who has fought an Agent has died. But where they have failed, you will succeed.
Morpheus I've seen an Agent punch through a concrete wall. Men have emptied entire clips at them and hit nothing but air. Yet their strength and their speed are still based in a world that is built on rules. Because of that, they will never be as strong or as fast as you can be.
Morpheus No, Neo. I'm trying to tell you that when you're ready, you won't have to.
Morpheus Welcome to the desert of the real.
Morpheus What is the Matrix? Control. The Matrix is a computer-generated dream world built to turn a human being into this. *Holds up a battery*
Scenes with Morpheus
10 scenes Morpheus At last. Welcome, Neo. As you no doubt have guessed I am Morpheus.
It's an honor to meet you.
Morpheus No, the honor is mine. Please, come. Sit. I imagine that right now you are feeling a bit like Alice. Tumbling down the rabbit hole? Hmm?
You could say that.
Morpheus I can see it in your eyes. You have the look of a man who accepts what he sees because he's expecting to wake up. Ironically, this is not far from the truth. Do you believe in fate, Neo?
No.
Morpheus Why not?
Because I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life.
Morpheus I know exactly what you mean. Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. What you know you can't explain, but you feel it. You've felt it your entire life. That there's something wrong with the world, you don't know what it is, but it's there. Like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad. It is this feeling that has brought you to me. Do you know what I'm talking about?
The Matrix?
Morpheus Do you want to know what it is?
Morpheus [Neo nods]
The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, when you go to church, when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.
What truth?
Morpheus That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else you were born into bondage. Born into a prison that you cannot smell or taste or touch. A prison for your mind. Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself. This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. [opens hand, unveiling blue pill] You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. [opens hand, unveiling red pill] You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. [Speaks before Neo takes the Red Pill] Remember: all I'm offering is the truth. Nothing more.
Morpheus [Neo takes the red pill after a few moments of thought, and washes it down with a mouthful of water from the glass next to him]
Follow me.
Am I dead?
Morpheus Far from it.
Why do my eyes hurt?
Morpheus You've never used them before.
What are you trying to tell me? That I can dodge bullets?
Morpheus No, Neo. I'm trying to tell you that when you're ready, you won't have to.
So is this the same Oracle who made the prophecy?
Morpheus Yes, she is very old. She has been with us since the beginning.
Beginning?
Morpheus Of the resistance.
And she knows what? Everything?
Morpheus She would say she knows enough.
And she's never wrong?
Morpheus [sighs]
Try not to think in terms of right or wrong. She is a guide, Neo. She can help you to find the path.
She helped you?
Morpheus Yes.
What did she tell you?
Morpheus That I would find the One.
The great Morpheus. We meet at last.
Morpheus And you are?
Uh, Smith. Agent Smith.
Morpheus You all look the same to me.
Morpheus [Neo wakes up in his apartment and a phone rings]
This line is tapped, so I must be brief. They got to you first, but they’ve underestimated how important you are. If they knew what I know, you’d probably be dead.
What are you talking about. What... what is happening to me?
Morpheus You are The One, Neo. You see, you may have spent the last few years looking for me, but I’ve spent my entire life looking for you. Now, do you still want to meet?
Yes.
Morpheus No. But if you could, would you really want to? I feel I owe you an apology. We have a rule. We never free a mind once it’s reached a certain age. It’s dangerous; the mind has trouble letting go. I’ve seen it before, and I’m sorry. I did what I did because... I had to. When the Matrix was first built, there was a man born inside who had the ability to change whatever he wanted, to remake the Matrix as he saw fit. It was he who freed the first of us, taught us the truth: ‘As long as the Matrix exists, the human race will never be free.’ After he died, the Oracle prophesied his return, and that his coming would hail the destruction of the Matrix, end the war, bring freedom to our people. That is why there are those of us who have spent our entire lives searching the Matrix looking for him. I did what I did because I believe that search is over. Get some rest; you’re going to need it.
For what?
Morpheus Your training.
You know why Morpheus brought you to see me?
I think so.
So, what do you think? Do you think you’re The One?
I don’t know.
[The latin phrase Temet Nosce appears on an inscription over the Oracle's door]
You know what that means? It's Latin. Means "Know thyself". I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Being The One is just like being in love. No one can tell you you're in love; you just know it. Through and through. Balls to bones.
Ahhh.
Okay. Now I’m supposed to say, “Umm, that’s interesting, but...” then you say...
But what?
But you already know what I’m going to tell you.
I’m not The One.
Sorry, kid. You got the gift, but it looks like you’re waiting for something.
What?
Your next life, maybe? Who knows? That’s the way these things go. What’s funny?
Morpheus. He- he almost had me convinced.
I know. Poor Morpheus. Without him we’re lost.
What do you mean, without him?
Are you sure you want to hear this? Morpheus believes in you, Neo. And no one, not you, not even me, can convince him otherwise. He believes it so blindly that he’s going to sacrifice his life to save yours.
What?
You’re going to have to make a choice. In the one hand you’ll have Morpheus’ life, and in the other hand you’ll have your own. One of you is going to die. Which one will be up to you. I’m sorry, kiddo, I really am. You have a good soul, and I hate giving good people bad news. Oh, don’t worry about it. As soon as you step outside that door, you’ll start feeling better. You’ll remember you don’t believe in any of this fate crap. You’re in control of your own life, remember? Here, take a cookie. I promise, by the time you’re done eating it, you’ll feel right as rain.
Morpheus What was said was for you and for you alone.
Neo, I’m not afraid anymore. The Oracle told me that I would fall in love, and that that man, the man who I loved, would be The One. So you see, you can’t be dead. You can’t be, because I love you. You hear me? I love you. [Kisses him] Now get up. [Neo resurrects, fully enlightened, and the agents at the hallway end raise their firearms and simultaneously fire]
No. [Raises a hand and stops all bullets in mid-air]
Morpheus [Mesmerized]
He is The One.
