Moses quotes from The Prince of Egypt (1998)

Goodbye, brother.

Come on, Moses, admit it. You've always looked up to me.

Yes, but it's not much of a view!

Hey, Ramses! How'd you like to have your face carved on a wall?

Someday, yes.

How about now?! [pushes him into wall]

Second born, second place!

Not for long!

Seti

Why do the gods torment me with such reckless, destructive, blasphemous sons?

Father, hear what I say...

Seti

Be still, Pharaoh speaks. I seek to build an empire, and your only goal is to amuse yourselves by tearing it down. Have I taught you nothing?

Hotep

You mustn't be so hard on yourself, Your Majesty. You're an excellent teacher.

Huy

It's not you fault your sons learned nothing.

Hotep

Well, they learned blasphemy.

Huy

True. [They both leave]

Father, the fault was mine: I goaded Rameses on, and so I am responsible.

Seti

Responsible. And do you know the meaning of that word, Rameses?

I understand, Father.

Seti

And do you understand the task from which your birth has destined you? The ancient traditions: when I pass into the next world, then you will be the morning and the evening star.

One damaged temple does not destroy centuries of tradition.

Seti

But one weak link can break the chain of a mighty dynasty!

Seti

You have my leave to go.

Father...

Father, you know it was really my fault. Must you be so hard on him?

Seti

Moses, you will never have to carry a burden like the crown I will pass to Rameses. He must not allow himself to be lead astray, not even by you, my son.

All he cares about is... is your approval. I know he will lift up to your expectations. He only needs the opportunity.

Seti

Maybe, maybe so. Go now, I shall see you both tonight.

The weak link in the chain. That's what he called me.

Well, you are rather pathetic.

Irresponsible, ignorant of the traditions. He practically accused me of bringing down the dynasty.

Yeah, I can see that now. There go the pyramids! [laughs]

You can laugh about it.

Statues crumbling and toppling, the Nile drying up, you will singlehandedly bring the greatest kingdom on Earth to ruins!

Tell me this, Moses, tell me this: why is it that every time you start something, I'm the one who ends up in trouble?

I figured it out, you know what your problem is, Rameses, you care too much.

And your problem is that you don't care at all.

Well, in that case, I supposed that you do care more than I do that we're... late for the banquet, for example.

I'm done for, Father will kill me!

Don't worry, nobody will ever notice us coming in.

Nobody will ever notice.

Pharaoh Seti

The Hebrews grew too numerous. They might have risen against us.

Father, tell me you didn't do this.

Pharaoh Seti

Moses, sometimes, for the greater good, sacrifices must be made.

Sacrifices?

Pharaoh Seti

Oh, my son...they were only slaves.

Is this where you found me?

Moses, please try to understand.

So everything I thought, everything I am, is a lie.

No! You are our son and we love you.

Why did you choose me?

We didn't, Moses. The gods did.

Moses...

Here I am.

Take the sandals from your feet, Moses, for the place on which you stand is holy ground.

Who are you?

I am that I am.

I don't understand.

I am the God of your ancestors, Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.

You are born of our mother Yocheved! You are our brother!

What do you want with me?

I have seen the oppression of my people in Egypt, and have heard their cry. [sounds of screams and cracking whips] So I shall stretch forth my hand, and lead them out of Egypt, into a good land. A land flowing with milk and honey. And so, unto Pharaoh, I shall send... you.

Me? W-who am I to lead these people? They'll never believe me, they won't even listen!

I shall be with you, and teach you what to say. [disembodied] Let my people go!

But I was their enemy. I was the prince of Egypt, the son of the man who slaughtered... their children! You've chosen the wrong messenger! H-how can I even speak to these people?

Who made man's mouth? Who made the deaf, the mute, the seeing, or the blind? Did not I? Now go!

Oh, Moses, I shall be with you when you go to the king of Egypt. But Pharaoh will not listen. So I will stretch out my hand and smite Egypt with all my wonders! Take the staff in your hand, Moses. With it, you shall do my wonders! [whispering] I will be with you, Moses.

Aaron

So, Moses, how does it feel when you get struck to the ground?

I didn't need to cause you more pain. I'm just trying to do as God told me.

Aaron

God? When did God start caring about any of us? In fact, Moses, when did you start caring about slaves? Was it when you found out that you were one of us?

Rameses, let my people go!

Still gnawing away on that bone, are we? [to his guards] Carry on.

You cannot keep ignoring us!

Enough. I will hear no more of this Hebrew nonsense. [to his guards] Bring him to me.

Abandon this futile mission, Moses! I've indulged you long enough! This must now be finished!

No, Rameses. It is only beginning.

Once I called you brother. Once I fought the chance to make you laugh. It's all I ever wanted. And even now, I wished that God had chose another, serving as your foe on his behalf. It's the last thing that I wanted. This was my home. All this pain and devastation, how it tortures me inside. All the innocent who suffer from your stubbornness and pride. You who I called brother. Why must you call down another blow?

I send my scourge, I sent my sword.

Let my people go.

Thus saith the Lord.

Thus saint the Lord.

You who I called brother. How could you have come to hate me so? I this what you wanted?

I send the swarm, I send the hoard.

Then let my heart be hardened, and never mind how high the cost may grow. This may still be so: I will never let your people go.

Rameses?

Let me guess. You want me to... let your people go.

I... hoped I might find you here.

Get out! [throws a bowl at him]

Ramses, we must bring this to an end. [pause] Come on, talk to me. We could always talk here. [pause] This place... so many memories... I remember the time you... [chuckles] switched the heads of the gods in the Temple of Ra.

If I recall correctly, you were there switching heads right along with me.

No, that was you, I didn't do that.

Yes you did. You put the hippo on the crocodile and the crocodile...

...on the falcon.

Yes! And the priests thought it was a horrible omen and fasted for two months! Father was furious! You were always getting me into trouble! [pauses and smiles] But then... you were always there to get me... out of trouble again. Why can't things be the way they were before?

No kingdom should be made on the backs of slaves. Rameses, your stubbornness is bringing this misery upon Egypt. It would cease if you would only let the Hebrews go.

I will not be dictated to, I will not be threatened. I am the morning and the evening star, I am Pharaoh!

Something else is coming, something much worse than anything before. Please, let go of your contempt for life before it destroys everthing you hold dear! Think of your son!

I do. You Hebrews have been nothing but trouble. My father had the right idea about how to deal with your people, and it's time I finish the job. And there shall be a great cry in all of Egypt, such as never has been or ever will be again!

Rameses, you bring this upon yourself.

Well, that went well.

Just go away.

Could've been worse.

The weak link in the chain. That's what he called me.

Well, you are rather pathetic.

Irresponsible, ignorant of the traditions. He practically accused me of bringing down the dynasty!

Yeah, I can see it now. There go the pyramids! [laughs]

You can laugh about it.

Statues cracking and toppling over, the Nile drying up; single-handedly, you will manage to bring the greatest kingdom on Earth to ruin.

Tell me this, Moses, tell me this: why is it that every time you start something, I'm the one who ends up in trouble?

Hotep

Oh! Man! [spits out punch]

Huy

Oh!

Hotep

Ah! Rameses, you're in trouble, young man!

Huy

Rameses, get down here! I think you owe us an apology!

Hotep

Oh, my new thing!

Huy

I am so upset!

You might as well.

Hotep

You'll pay for this!

Huy

We're going to tell the Pharaoh!

Hotep

Oh, look at me! I'm drenched again!

Hey, I figured it out. You know what your problem is, Rameses?

What?

You care too much.

And your problem is that you don't care at all.

Well, in that case, I supposed that you care a lot more than I do that we're...late for the banquet, for example.

I'm done for! Father will kill me!

Don't worry, nobody will even notice us comin' in. [They enter, but the entire crowd sees them and cheers loudly]

"Nobody will even notice?"

Ah, the young princes! [hugs her sons, then sides to her real son] Rameses, you were just named Prince Regent. You are now responsible for overseeing all the temples. I suggest you get over there and thank your father. [Rameses walks off] Apparently, Moses...someone thought he "just needed the opportunity".

My lord, Pharaoh! I propose that the high priests offer tribute to their new Regent!

Seti

An excellent idea! Hotep! Huy!

Hotep

Huy?

Huy

What?

Hotep

The Midian girl...

Huy

Oh! Good idea!

Hotep

Go get her. [Huy runs off. He addresses the guests and performs a magic spell] By the power of Ra! We present for your delectation and delight, an exotic apparition stolen from faraway lands. [a large box-like construction rises from the floor, revealing an attractive young woman named Tzipporah, riding a camel. Huy restrains her by her hands with a rope. Moses and Rameses are enthralled] We offer you this...delicate desert flower.

Let us inspect this "desert flower"... [Tzipporah tries to bites, his hand missed] Ehhg! More like a desert cobra.

Not much of a snake-charmer, are you?

That's why I give her to you.

No, no, no. That's generous, but-

Tzipporah

I won't be given to anyone, especially an arrogant, pampered palace brat!

Are you gonna let her talk to you like that? [Tzipporah groans trying to the ropes off her wrists while Moses gets Rameses off of him]

You will show the proper respect for a prince of Egypt.

Tzipporah

But I am showing you all the respect you deserve. [pulls rope away from Hotep and Huy] None!

No, wait! Be still! [grabs the rope]

Tzipporah

I demand you set me free!

Be still!

Tzipporah

Let go!

As you wish. [lets go of the rope, causing Tzipporah to scream and fall backwards into the pond]

You there! Have her dried off, and sent to Prince Moses's chambers. [to Seti] If it pleases you, Father, my first act of Regent is to appoint Moses [places the blue ring on Moses' finger] as Royal Chief Architect!
[The crowd cheers. Moses smiles, then stares back at Tzipporah, who looks back at him in disgust, as she is led away]

Moses?

Is this where you found me?

Moses, please try to understand.

So… So everything I thought, everything I am, is a lie.

No. You are our son, and we love you.

Why did you choose me?

We didn't, Moses. The gods did. [walks down the stairs, then sitting down, then singing] This is your home, my son.
Here the river brought you
And it's here the river meant
To be your home.
Now you know the truth, love.
Now forget and be content.
When the gods send you a blessing,
You don't ask why it was sent.
[they both hug]

Last night, the gods granted me a vision. I'm not merely going to restore this temple, I will make it more grand, more splendid than any other one in Egypt.

Get up! [whip cracks the bag]

Moses! Look. Fate has turned our little misadventure into a great opportunity.

Get up, old man!

Father will be so pleased...

Put your back into it! Faster!

This is just the beginning. A gateway will open to an entire new city of white limestone, more dazzling than the sun. And here, a statue of Hapi.

I said, hurry!

...two great column halls.

Stop it! Somebody's got to stop this!

Aaron

There's nothing we can do.

Stop it. [louder] Stop. STOP IT! LEAVE THAT MAN ALONE!

Moses!

Out of my way. Out of my way. Move! Who did this?

Up there! It's him. Up there.

Moses!

Moses, what's going on? Moses!

Moses! Moses!

Let me go!

No, wait.

You saw what happened. I just killed a man!

We can take care of that! I... I will make it so it never happened!

Nothing you can say can change what I've done.

I am Egypt! The morning and the evening star! If I say day is night, it will be written! And you will be what I say you are! I say you are innocent!

What you say does not matter. You don't understand. I can't stay here any longer...!

Moses!

No! All I've ever known to be true is a lie! I'm not who you think I am.

What are you talking about?

Go ask the man I once called "Father." [walks away]

Moses? Please...

Goodbye, brother. [walks away]

Moses! Moses!

Hey, wait. Please. [drags him on the ground, then he continues dragging on the ground, by sheep, then hitting by a well, then putting the face in the water, all wet, then the sheep spits water out, later a girl just shriek off-screen.]

What are you doing? Help! Let our sheep drink! Leave us alone! Get away! Stop it! My father's the high priest of Midian. You're going to be in big trouble.

Hey, you. Aren't these your camels? Hut-hut!

No, no! No, no! [they both run to get the camels] Wait! Wait, stop!

Tzipporah

What are you girls doing?

We're trying to get the funny man out of the well.

Tzipporah

Trying to get the funny man out of the well. Well, that's one I've never heard before. [gasping] Oh, my. Oh, uh, don't worry down there! Uh, we'll get you out. Hold on!

Tzipporah

You.

Huh?

Tzipporah

Mm-hmm. [walks away]

That's why papa says she'll never get married.

You don't have to do this. Ladies, please, I'm really... I'm really quite... No, not there, please. [laughing] That tickles. Ladies, you've cleaned every inch of me. Whoa, I... I was wrong.

Let me through. Let me through. I want to see him. Ah! You are most welcome. [hugs Young Moses] You should not be a stranger in this land. You have been sent as a blessing. And, tonight, you shall be my honored guest. [walks away, laughing]

Tzipporah

My father, Jethro, high priest of Midian.

Psst! Sit with me!

Alright. [sits down with Tzipporah's sisters and picks up the fruit and is about to eats it]

Psst! Not yet!

Oh, sorry. [puts the the fruit back into the bowl]

My children! Let us give thanks for this bountiful food, and let us also give thanks for the presence of this brave young man whom we honor here tonight.

Please, sir, I wish you wouldn't. I've done nothing in my life worth honoring. [Tzipporah is surprised by these words. So is Jethro]

First you rescue Tzipporah from Egypt, [pinches Tzipporah's cheek playfully] then you defend my younger daughters from brigands. [walks over and hugs Tzipporah's sisters] You think that is nothing? It seems you do not know what is worthy of honor. [singing] A single thread in a tapestry though its color brightly shine
Can never see its purpose in a pattern of the grand design.
And the stone that that sits on the very top of the mountain's mighty face
Does it think it's more important than the stones that form the base?
So, how can you see what your life is worth or where your value lies?
You can never see through the eyes of man.
You must look at your life, look at your life through heaven's eyes.

La-la-la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la. La, la-la-la-la-la-la. La-la-la-la-la-la. Lai-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai, lai-lai-la.

Dance with me.

No, I don't know how.

A lake of gold in the desert sand is less than a cool, fresh spring
And to one lost sheep, a shepherd boy is greater than the richest king
If a man loses everything he knows, has he truly lost his worth,
Or is it the beginning of a new and brighter birth?
So how do you measure the worth of a man in wealth or strength or size?
In how much he gained or how much he gave?
The answer will come, the answer will come to him who tries.
To look at his life through heaven's eyes!
And that's why we share all we have with you, though there's little to be found.
When all you've got is nothing, there's a lot to go around.
No life can escape being blown out by the winds of change and chance.
And though you never know all the steps

Tzipporah

Dance with me.

No, I... No. No!

You must learn to join the dance. You must learn to join the dance!

La-la-la, lee-lai-lai-lai. Lai-lai-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai-lai. Lai-lai-lai-lai, lee-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai. Lai-lai-lai-lai, lee-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai. Lai-lai-lai-lai, lee-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai-lai-lai-lai-lai! Lai-lai-lai-lai, lee-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai! Lai-lai-lai-lai, lee-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai-lai-lai! So how do you judge what a man is worth by what he builds or buys,
You can never see with your eyes on earth!
Look through heaven's eyes!
Look at your life! Look at your life!
Look at your life through heaven's eyes!

Tzipporah

But, Moses, you are just one man.

Tzipporah, please. [sighing] Look at your family.

They are free. They have a future. They have hopes and dreams and the promise of a life with dignity. That is what I want for my people. And that is why I must do the task that God has given me.

Tzipporah

I'm coming with you.

Rameses.

Moses? Is it really?

Moses!

Rameses!

Where have you been? I took you for dead.

Look at you!

Pharaoh.

Well, look at you. What on earth are you dressed as?

Oh, Rameses, it's so good to see you.

Hotep

Excuse me, Your Majesty. We are compelled to remind you this man committed a serious crime against the gods.

Huy

We are loathe to bring it up, mind you.

Hotep

The law clearly states the punishment for such a crime...

Huy

Death!

Hotep

We hesitate to say it.

Be still. Pharaoh speaks. I am the morning and the evening star.

Rameses.

It shall be as I say. I pardon forever all crimes of which he stands accused and will have it known that he is our brother Moses, the prince of Egypt.

Rameses, in my heart, you are my brother, but things cannot be as they were.

I see no reason why not.

You know I am a Hebrew, and the God of the Hebrews came to me.

What?

He commands that you let his people go.

Commands?

Behold, the power of God. [puts his stick down, then transforming into a snake]

Well, uh, impressive. Hmm. Very well, Moses. I'll play along. [chuckling] Hotep. Huy. Give this snake charmer our answer.

Thus saith the Lord,
thus saith the Lord...
Since you refuse to free my people all
through the land of Egypt,
I send a pestilence and plague Into your house,
into your bed, into your streams, into your streets,
into your drink, into your bread, upon your cattle,
on your sheep, upon your oxen, in your field,
into your dreams, into your sleep, until you break,
until you yield, I send the swarm,
I send the horde, Thus saith the Lord.

Once I called you brother.
Once I thought the chance to make you laugh
was all I ever wanted...

I send the thunder from the sky,
I send the fire raining down.

And even now,
I wish that God had chose another.
Serving as your foe on His behalf,
is the last thing that I wanted.

I send a hail of burning ice on every field,
on every town.

This was my home...
All this pain and devastation,
how it tortures me inside.
All the innocent who suffer,
from your stubbornness and pride.

I send the locusts on a wind,
such as the world has never seen, on every leaf,
on every stalk, until there's nothing left of green!
I send my scourge, I send my sword.
Thus saith The Lord!

You who I called brother,
why must you call down another blow?

I send my scourge,
I send my sword.

Let my people go.

Thus saith The Lord.

Thus saith The Lord!

You who I called brother.
How could you have come to hate me so?
Is this what you wanted?

I send the swarm,
I send the horde.

Then let my heart be hardened,
and never mind how high the cost may grow.
This will still be so:
I will never let your people go!

Thus saith The Lord.

Thus saith The Lord!

I will not-

Let your [Moses: my] people go!

Rameses? Rameses?

Oh, let me guess. You want me to… "let your people go".

I… I hoped I would find you here.

Get out! [throws a goblet at him, but misses]

Rameses… we must bring this to an end. [Rameses is silent] Rameses, please. Talk to me. We could always talk here. [paused] This place… so many memories… I remember the time you… [chuckles] switched the heads of the gods in the Temple of Ra. [silent, starts to leave]

If I recall correctly, you were there switching heads right along with me.

No, that was you, I didn't do that.

Oh yes, you did. You put the hippo on the crocodile and the crocodile…

…on the falcon.

Yes! And the priests thought it was a horrible omen and fasted for two months! Father was furious! You were always getting me into trouble! [pauses as his expression softens] But then… you were always there to get me out of trouble again. [chuckles] Why can't things be the way they were before?
Rameses' Son: Father, it's so dark. I'm frightened. [Rameses walks over to son to comfort him; sees Moses] Why is he here? Isn't that the man who did all this?!

Yes. But one must wonder… why?

Because no kingdom should be made on the backs of slaves. Rameses, your stubbornness is bringing this misery upon Egypt. It would cease if only you would let the Hebrews go.

I will not be dictated to. I will not be threatened! I am the Morning and the Evening Star! I am Pharaoh!

Something else is coming, something much worse than anything before! Please! Let go of your contempt for life before it destroys everything you hold dear; think of your son! [Rameses' son backs away in fear]

I do. You Hebrews have been nothing but trouble. My father had the right idea about how to deal with your people.

Rameses!

And I think it's time I finished the job!

RAMESES.

And there shall be a great cry in all of Egypt, such as never has been or ever will be again!

Rameses, you bring this upon yourself.

God has come to me again, saying, "Take a lamb, and with its blood...mark the lintel and posts of every door. For tonight...I shall pass through the land of Egypt...and smite all the firstborn. But when I see the blood upon your door...I will pass over you, and the plague shall not enter".