Professor James Moriarty Your clock... is ticking.
Played by Jared Harris 
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) · 41 quotes
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) · 41 quotes
3rd most-quoted character in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011): in 9 of its 41 quotes
Most scenes with: Sherlock Holmes (3)
You see...hidden within the unconscious is an insatiable desire for conflict. So you're not fighting me...so much as you are the human condition. All I want is to own the bullets and the bandages. War, on an industrial scale, is inevitable. They'll do it themselves, within a few years. All I have to do...is wait.
More lines from Professor James Moriarty
4 quotes Professor James Moriarty Professor James Moriarty Let's not waste anymore of each other's time...we both know how this ends.
Professor James Moriarty Come now, did you think you are the only one who can play this game?
Professor James Moriarty After we conclude our business here, I shall endeavor to find the most creative of endings for your friend and his wife.
Scenes with Professor James Moriarty
4 scenes Prof. James Moriarty [Adler meets Moriarty at a restaurant]
Do you have the letter?
It was taken.
Prof. James Moriarty Taken? Well that is unfortunate.
During the chaos created by your package. [A waiter pours tea for her] Thank you. [to Moriarty] Perhaps... if you had shared your plans-
Prof. James Moriarty You wish to know my plans, now, do you? Did you imagine, Miss Adler, that something would happen to you? Is that why you chose to meet here in a public place? Your favourite restaurant?
Prof. James Moriarty [Moran immediately taps a spoon against his glass three times. On cue, everybody in the room, including the waiters, stops what they are doing, stands up, and file out of the room, except for Moran, Moriarty and Irene]
I don’t blame you. I blame myself. It’s been apparent to me for quite some time than you had succumbed to your feelings for him. And this isn’t the first occasion Mr Holmes has inconvenienced me in recent months... The question is... what to do about it?
[enters Moriarty’s study, a record is playing]
“Fischerweise”, Schubert, 1826. [quotes from the song]
“Gib auf nur deine Tücke
Den Fisch betrügst du nicht.
Give up your foolish trickery...”
Professor James Moriarty [finishes for him]
“...This fish you cannot cheat.”
Are you familiar with the study of graphology?
Professor James Moriarty I’ve never given it any serious thought, no.
The psychological analysis of handwriting. The upward strokes on the ‘p’, the ‘j’, the ‘m’, indicate a genius level intellect, while the flourishes in the lower zone denote a highly creative, yet meticulous nature, but if one observers the overall slant and the pressure of the writing, there’s suggestion of acute narcissism, a complete lack of empathy, and a pronounced inclination toward-
Professor James Moriarty No.
Moral insanity.
Professor James Moriarty In answer to your previous request regarding Dr. Watson not being involved, the answer is "no": the laws of celestial mechanics dictate that when two objects collide, there is always damage of a collateral nature. [stands up] Exempli gratia: two gentlemen find themselves at cross purposes. [flashback to Irene at the restaurant] A young woman, torn between them. The strain proves too much for her, and she suddenly falls ill [Irene stops, gasps, clutches her chest, and collapses] with tragic consequences. [Moriarty sets down one of Irene's monogrammed handkerchiefs on a chess board; a flashback is shown of him grabbing it from the dying Irene's hand] A rare form of tuberculosis. She succumbed in a matter of seconds. [Moriarty picks up a king] Now, are you sure you want to play this game?
I'm afraid, you'd lose.
Professor James Moriarty Rest assured, if you attempt to bring destruction down upon me, I shall do the same to you. My respect for you, Mr. Holmes, is the only reason you're still alive.
You have paid me several compliments. Let me pay you one in return when I say that if I were assured of the former eventuality... I would cheerfully accept the latter.
Prof. James Moriarty
Oh and... give my regards to the happy couple.
[Visualizing his final fight with Moriarty; thinking]
His advantage: My injury. My advantage: His rage [After lighting Holmes' pipe, Moriarty attacks, Holmes tries to block him, exchanging blows] Incoming assault feral... but experienced. Use his momentum to counter. [Holmes starts to block and counter Moriarty's punches and punches him in the face]
Professor James Moriarty [Visualizing the same fight with Holmes; thinking]
Come now, you really think you're the only one that can play this game? [Moriarty takes punch from Holmes and locks his left arm while hitting Holmes' injured right shoulder] Chop arm, target weakness. [Swings Holmes into a pillar] Follow with haymaker.
[Countering Moriarty's haymakers]
Ah, there we find the boxing champion of Cambridge. [Punches Moriarty]
Professor James Moriarty Competent, but predictable. [Blocks and catches Holmes' left arm] Now, allow me to reply [Blocks Holmes' right punch and jabs his injured shoulder]
Arsenal running dry, adjust strategy. [Holmes tries to kick at Moriarty's feet, he counters, and starts to overpower Holmes]
Professor James Moriarty [Slams Holmes against a table]
Wound taking its toll. [Twists Holmes' injured arm and shoulder]
As I feared. Injury makes defense untenable. [Moriarty twists Holmes onto the railing of the balcony] Prognosis: Increasingly negative [Moriarty is able to hit Holmes more freely and block any desperate punches from Holmes]
Professor James Moriarty Let's not waste anymore of one another's time. We both know how this ends. [Moriarty pushes Holmes over the railing, to the falls below.]
[Cuts back to Holmes and Moriarty looking at one another, Moriarty lighting Holmes' pipe] [Smiles at Moriarty, who smiles back; thinking]
Conclusion: Inevitable. Unless...[As Moriarty finishes lighting his pipe, Holmes blows the embers into Moriarty's face, stunning him, allowing Holmes to grapple him and pull them both back against the railing. Just then, Watson shows up, seeing them. Holmes looks at Watson, then closes his eyes, kicking off a table and flipping both him and Moriarty over the railing.]
