# Unexpected wisdom in pop culture **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 27, 2003, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604 "2003-03-27T20:36:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![j\_kat\_251](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/71c47a/32.png) [@j\_kat\_251](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j_kat_251)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/21 "2003-03-28T03:44:56Z")
Yeah, I know that **Lamia**. What I really wonder was whether that character was trying to be funny or whether he was stupid. I thought it was very funny myself, then again, he was a neo-Nazi, so he could have just been dumb. The reason I included the Stones lyric was because in this childrens book about aliens (Animorphs, K.A. Applegate), a visiting alien records in his log something “a very wise man” once said - that lyric. So, that part in the movie is something similar. ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/22 "2003-03-28T04:42:56Z")
Not especially hokey, but I like this one: Lester in \*\*_American Beauty_- > [@](#): > > It’s hard to stay mad when there’s so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I’m seeing it all at once, and it’s too much. My heart fills up like a balloon that’s about to burst. And then I remember to relax and stop trying to hold on to it. And then it flows through me like rain and I feel nothing but gratitude for every stinking moment of my stupid little life. \*\*And it _is_ hard to stay mad. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tanaqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Tanaqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanaqui)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/23 "2003-03-28T06:31:21Z")
I’ve never read the book, but I saw this quote in a .sig somewhere and have never forgotten it. _The Perks of Being a Wallflower:_ > [@](#): > > And all the books you’re read have been read by other people. And all the songs you’ve loved have been heard by other people. And that girl that’s pretty to you is pretty to other people. And you know that if you looked at these facts when you were happy, you would feel great because you are describing “unity.” ---
**Author:** ![NutWrench](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nutwrench/32/20193_2.png) [@NutWrench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutWrench)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/24 "2003-03-28T06:41:21Z")
_“Perilous to us all are the devices of an art deeper than we possess ourselves”_ - Gandalf, _The Lord of the Rings_ ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/25 "2003-03-28T09:06:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gatopescado \* > “Be excellant to one another!” from Bill and Ted’s excellant adventure. Talk about hookie… Hey, I _like_ it – but you got the quote wrong: “Be excellent to each other and party on.” End credits, _Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey_ And I’ll contribute a few more: [ul] [li]“Do, or do not. There is no try.”[/li]Yoda, _The Empire Strikes Back_ [li]“Premature panic is the sign of an immature mind.”[/li]Destro, _G. I. Joe_ [li]“There is nothing so stupid or dangerous or painful that people won’t eagerly do it, if by doing it they will make others believe they are better or stronger or more honorable.”[/li]Orson Scott Card, _The Worthing Chronicle_ [li]“You can’t go around building a better world for people. Only people can build a better world for people. Otherwise it’s just a cage.”[/li]Granny Weatherwax (Terry Pratchett), _Witches Abroad_ [/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/26 "2003-03-28T11:53:41Z")
In ER, John Carter teaches a med-student some medical procedure. He shows the student the procedure, then he lets the student try, and immediately afterwards he lets the student explain what he just learned to another student. Carter calls this method: “See one, do one, teach one” Now, whenever I want somebody to master some new skill or get some new interest, I always follow this “See one, do one, teach one”-approach. It works! ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/27 "2003-03-28T12:21:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rjung \* > \*\*“You can’t go around building a better world for people. Only people can build a better world for people. Otherwise it’s just a cage.” > Granny Weatherwax (Terry Pratchett), _Witches Abroad_ > [/list] \*\* I’ve been thinking about this line _a lot_ lately, when trying to make sense of current events. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/28 "2003-03-28T12:48:53Z")
In Brian de Palma’s first film, Gerritt Graham plays a charismatic half mad Boy Scout leader type. When challenged on the reasons for his action he would gaze intensely at his challenger and say, “Those who know … know!” It has always struck me as a perfect summation of the argument to authority. ---
**Author:** ![Aro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Aro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aro)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/29 "2003-03-28T13:03:09Z")
_“Life is made of meetings and partings. That is the way of it”_ Kermit the Frog, The Muppets Christmas Carol. \*“The bravest of us all rarely has the courage for what he knows”\*G Green River Rising by Tim Willocks _”With love, even plain cold water tastes sweet”_ Wild Swans by Jung Chang _One life, you got to do what you should”_ Bono, U2 ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/30 "2003-03-28T13:35:45Z")
I’ll contribute another **Yoda** ism: “Always with you what can not be done. Hear you nothing that I say?” “There are always possibilities.” –Spock (or maybe it’s Kirk quoting Spock) “I ask for so little. Boy, do I get it.” –Dilbert “Yes. We’re all individuals.” – The Crowd, Monty Pythons Life of Brian. ---
**Author:** ![garius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e19b73/32.png) [@garius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garius)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/31 "2003-03-28T13:51:18Z")
Just a couple - one that i tracked down thanks to the SDMB: from a playstation advert: > [@](#): > > For years I’ve lived a double life. > In the day I do my job; I ride the bus, roll up my sleeves with the hoi polloi. > But at night I live a life of exhilaration, of missed heartbeats and adrenaline. > And, if the truth be known, a life of dubious virtue. > I won’t deny it. I’ve been engaged in violence. Even indulged in it. > I have assailed adversaries, and not merely in self defense. > I’ve exhibited disregard for life, limb, and property, > And savoured every moment. > You may not think it to look at me, > But I have commanded armies and conquered worlds. > And though, in achieving these things, I have set morality aside, > I have no regrets. > For though I have led a double life, at least I can say > I have lived. that one goes to anyone at work who says “how can you spend so much time playing computer games??” also pretty much any lyric from a song by Pulp - particularly: > [@](#): > > Oh & I could be a genius > if I just put my mind to it > & I, I could do anything > if only I could get 'round to it. > Oh we were brought up on the Space-Race, > now they expect you to clean toilets. > When you have seen how big the world is how can you make do with this? > If you want me I’ll be sleeping in - > sleeping in throughout these glory days. which pretty much sums up myt attitude to life. ---
**Author:** ![Politzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@Politzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Politzania)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/32 "2003-03-28T16:21:25Z")
“There’s not a word yet, for old friends who’ve just met” and “Come and go with me, it’s more fun to share” – \* I’m Going to Go Back There Someday\* ---
**Author:** ![jk1245](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/49beb7/32.png) [@jk1245](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jk1245)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/33 "2003-03-28T16:49:32Z")
From Jimmy Buffett’s “Cowboy In The Jungle”: _I can count the falling stars While the Southern Cross and the satellites They remind me of where we are Spinning around in circles Living it day to day And still twenty four hours may be sixty good years It’s still not that long a stay._ ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/34 "2003-03-28T16:58:12Z")
Two from Neil Gaiman’s _The Sandman_: “Life ends, and that’s what gives it value.” “_Change_ is the word for knowing time is happening.” One more from _Sandman_ that I’ve always liked for some reason, but am not sure if it really applies here: “When in doubt, follow your fish.” Apologies is these are not exact; I’m working from memory. ---
**Author:** ![Sock\_Munkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Sock\_Munkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sock_Munkey)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/35 "2003-03-28T17:12:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Interrobang!? \* > \*\*“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” – John Lennon, “Beautiful Boy” (and I know it’s not original to him, but it’s a perfect crystalization of the thought) > > And this one is embarrassing, but here goes: > > When I was in high school and would (on occasion) watch _He-Man_, I saw an episode that had some big, sentient magic tree that some of the heroes were going to chop down. It was going to save some character’s life, or something like that. Anyway, the tree agrees to be sacrificed, and this magic forest pixie starts crying: “Things won’t be the same without you!” > > “Then,” declares the tree, “they will be different.” > > I’ve never, ever forgotten that line. I think of it pretty much any time someone (including me) is griping about how something’s going to change everything. (Like, right now, switching from Quark to InDesign in our office.) I want to tell them the Parable of the Magic Tree, and to quit their bitching. Then I realize that I’d have to explain that that particular pearl of wisdom comes from _He-Man,_ and I shut up. \*\* That was the episode where one of skeletor’s spells turned Man-at arms into a statue and the only one who knew how to undo the spell was Granimere the oldest dragon. His price for giving He-Man the information was to bring him the Sky Tree, the only living thing older than he was. He-Man chose not to do so, simply saying “I cannot take a life to save a life”. Granimere was impressed that a human could have the wisdom to grasp such a concept and gave him the cure anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/36 "2003-03-28T17:22:34Z")
“Those slimy CORPORATE WEASELS are all the same! Give them an INCH and they take TWENTY MILES and a CORNER OFFICE! I’m going to personally perforate his peritoneum.” – **Cobra Commander** , Professional Supervillian “Deserves it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends. I have not much hope that Gollum can be cured before he dies, but there is a chance of it. And he is bound up with the fate of the Ring. My heart tells me that he has some part to play yet, for good or ill, before the end; and when that comes, the pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many - yours not least.” -\*\*Gandalf \*\* These two between them _almost_ sum up the Capital Punishment Debate. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Simbelmyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Simbelmyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simbelmyne)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/37 "2003-03-28T17:23:21Z")
I wish I was like you easily amused find my nest of salt everything’s my fault I’ll take all the blame aqua sea foam shame sunburn with freezerburn choking on the ashes of her enemy All in all is all we all are Sinead does it better. ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/38 "2003-03-28T17:29:20Z")
“Sometimes, you’ve just got to say what the fuck. What the fuck brings freedom. Freedom brings opportunity. Opportunity makes your future.” –Risky Business ---
**Author:** ![stolichnaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/39 "2003-03-28T17:34:54Z")
There was an interview with Brandon Lee on the old **Crow** videotape which was apparently taped days before his death on-set. I’m not diggin it up right now, but from memory, he says (talking about his character): > [@](#): > > Because we do not know when we will die, we get to think of life as an inexhaustible well. But everything happens only a certain number of times. > > How many times will you remember a particular afternoon of your childhood, an aftenoon that is so much a part of your being that you can’t even conceive of your life without it? Perhaps ten times? > > How many times will you watch the full moon rise? Maybe six, seven times? > > And yet it all seems limitless. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604/40 "2003-03-28T17:39:02Z")
Chief Dan George, in _Little Big Man_: “Sometimes the magic works, and sometimes it doesn’t.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-wisdom-in-pop-culture/164604.md?page=3)