Quotes of the Week 3 & 4 · Rishab Academy

Quotes of the Week 3 & 4

1. “Pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it.” - Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

2. “What greater thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they joined for life-to strengthen each other in all labor, tourist on each other in sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?” - George Eliot, Adam Bede

3. “The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.” - Chuck Palahniuk, Diary

4. “Deep in the human unconscious is a pervasive need for a logical universe that makes sense. But the real universe is always one step beyond logic.” - Frank Herbert, Dune

5. “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you'll miss it.” - Ferris Bueller, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

6. “We are who we choose to be.” - Green Goblin, Spider-Man (2002)

7. “Our fate lives within us. You only have to be brave enough to see it.” - Merida, Brave

8. "The thing that makes Woody special is he'll never give up on you... ever. He'll be there for you, no matter what." - Andy, Toy Story 3

9. “Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink.” - Lilly Pulitzer

10. “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work”- Thomas Edison

11. “Few things can help an individual more than to place responsibility on him, and to let him know that you trust him.” - Booker T. Washington

12. “Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.” - Colin Powell

13. "It is a sign of strength, to cry out against fate, rather than to bow one's head and succumb." - Gabriel Angelos, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II

14. “Be the kind of person your future self won't regret having been.” - Audie, Animal Crossing: New Horizons

15. “No matter who you are, bearing too much weight… Inevitably leads to the collapse of everything.” - Don Juan, Hotline Miami

16. “If you have a dream. Don’t wait. Act. One of life’s little rules.” - Axel, Kingdom Hearts 2

The Alchemist was written by Paulo Coehlo and published on January 1st, 1993. The Alchemist combines ideas of magic, mysticism, wisdom, and wonder with a tale of self discovery by the main protagonist. The story follows a shepherd boy by the name of Santiago who goes to North Africa in search of finding treasure within the Egyptian Pyramids. Santiago speaks with a gypsy about his reoccurring dream of a white church and the gypsy believes that it is a prophecy which Santiago must complete. Santiago begins his journey through great trials that will come to him soon along with finding the truth of his treasure. His riches end up being far different than he expected, but far more rewarding. During his journey Santiago finds his destiny and works to become peaceful with the universe by allowing the universe to conspire together to allow his dreams to become true. The Alchemist is a modern classic that has sold millions of copies and still is known for its prowess today.

The Alchemist’s quote explains that if we pay attention to the present and the world around us, we can be conscious enough to make a change and improve the world. Santiago pays attention to the world around him and by doing so improves both himself and the world around him through his journey.

Adam Bede was written by George Eliot and published on February 1st, 1859. Adam Bede is Eliot’s first book and the 3rd of Eliot’s books that I am covering in this series. The story follows a complicated love story surrounding Adam Bede, Hetty Sorrel, Arthur Donnithorne, and Dinah Morris. The story takes place in a pastoral country setting in the village of Hayslope and acts as a recreation of how the small community is shaken. This book started Eliot’s journey as a writer and also started the use of Mary Ann Evans pseudonym as George Eliot in literature.

Adam Bede’s quote explains the joy that comes from two people coming together in friendship and love. Coinciding the complicated love story that is Adam Bede, the quote is poignant in reference to the social relations that George Eliot writes about.

Diary was written by Chuck Palahniuk and published on August 26th, 2003. The book is written in a diary style as could be assumed based on the title. The book is a great example of modern horror as it incorporates psychological elements and dark humor. The story stars Misty Wilmot who was a promising artist but is now stuck on an island that has been overrun by tourism. Wilmot is at her ends after she has drunk too much and works as a waitress in a hotel until her husband enters a coma due to a suicide threat. Misty’s husband is a contractor and even in his coma, his clients threaten Misty with lawsuits due to the messages that have been left on the walls of the houses he remodeled. The rest of the book follows Misty in the larger conspiracy that could end the lives of hundreds.

Diary’s quote blatantly states that while we will not live forever, we can create things that will. In reference to the Diary’s story, Misty’s husband remodeled homes that stand while he doesn’t. The rest of the book focuses on Misty keeping her husband’s creation alive during his coma.

Dune was written by Frank Herbert and published on June 1st, 1965. The book follows the protagonist Paul Atreides on the desert planet of Arrakis as the heir to a noble family. Paul is tasked with ruling the inhospitable world and ensuring that the only valuable–“spice”--is maintained. The spice is converted across the universe for its ability to extend life and improve consciousness. When the House Atreides is betrayed and Paul’s family is destroyed, he is set out on a journey that will bring reality to humanity’s unattainable dreams. If this is your first experience with Dune, go read the books or watch the movies. Both are incredible.

Dune’s quote explains that everyone wants everything to make sense and have logic. However, the real universe will not abide by our logic as it will instead act ahead of our own eyes as we attempt to catch up. Every step we take to greatness and achievement may not be clearly dictated in the universe response, but all will eventually form together in the entropy of the world.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a teen comedy film written from 1986. The film follows a brash, cocky high school senior–Ferris Bueller–who decides to skip school with a fake illness for the 9th time in the semester. Ferris comes up with a complicated plan to skip school and he works with his friend Cameron and girlfriend Sloane to pull off the plan and head into Chicago for the day for an epic journey around Ferris’s favorite sites. However, the Dean of Students is convinced that Ferris is not actually sick and the Dean is ready to catch Ferris for his lies. Ferris Bueller commonly breaks the 4th wall and the movie was directed by John Hughes as a love letter to the city of Chicago.

Ferris Bueller’s quote explains how there is so much to love and observe in life, but all of it goes by so fast. The best way to observe life’s bursts is to just stop for a second and look. This quote is pretty much Ferris’s rational for his trip in Chicago.

Spider-Man is a superhero movie from 2002. The movie follows Peter Parker (played by Tobey Maguire) who was a shy and nerdy highschool teenager. Peter was orphaned as a child, later bullied in highschool, and couldn’t confess to his crush Mary Jane. Honestly, I think most of you already know most of this iconic story based on Marvel’s comics. Peter’s life changes after he goes to a laboratory on a trip and is bitten by a radioactive spider. Peter suddenly gains the abilities of a spider with wall climbing and the ability to shoot webs from his wrist, but attention from the millionaire Norman Osborn leads Osborn to become the villain Green Goblin.

The Green Goblin is far more than just a villain to Spider-Man considering how much harm he caused the wending. Despite the insanity that his powers caused him, his quote that we are what we make of ourselves speaks volumes for his relationship to Spiderman. He made a villain of himself while Peter made a hero of himself.

Brave is a 2012 animated coming of age movie from Disney and Pixar. The movie stars Princess Merida who wants to carve her own path in life compared to the path set ahead of her. The movie is set in rugged and mythical Scotland. Merida defies the customs of being a princess as she relies on her bravery and archery skills to undo a curse placed on the kingdom. Due to her decisions, Merida takes on greater responsibilities to quench the perils of the kingdom and set things right.

Merida’s quote explains that we all have a fate that we can fulfill and achieve. Yet, only those who are brave enough to seek out their fate will be able to achieve it. Brave’s ends up summarizing the main points of her character growth as she strays from her set is to make a better fate for herself.

Toy Story 3 is a 2010 animated movie from Disney and Pixar. As the 3rd film in the series, it continues from where the previous movie left off 11 years prior. As the toy’s owner Andy is preparing to leave for college, the toys are delivered to a Sunnyside Daycare center and the toys must make their way back home as they are worried that they were abandoned. The toys must brave the wrath of toddlers playing with them in order to escape the daycare as Woody, Buzz, and Jessie (the main toys) plan a grand escape. The movie was the end of the Toy Story Trilogy until the 4th installment in 2019.

Andy’s quote reflects the idea of the toys’ companionship and experiences across the Toy Story series as Andy has grown up significantly from the first movie and now sees how reliable Andy is for sticking with him all these years.

Lillian Pulitzer Rousseau was born on November 10th, 1931 and died on April 7th, 2013. Lilly Pulitzer was an entrepreneur, fashion designer, and socialite. One of her greatest accomplishments was the foundation of Lilly Pulitzer, Inc., which produces floral print clothing and other products. Lily and her husband Herbert lived in Palm Beach Florida after their marriage. They opened a fruit juice stand because they owned Florida orange groves; however, Lilly realized that squeezing the juice stained her clothes. Lily asked a dressmaker to make clothing that could hide the stains and her juice customers loved it to the point that more clothing was sold at the juice stand than the juice. These clothes were called “Lillys” and Lilly opened the Lilly Pulitzer Inc company in 1959 to sell the fabrics.

Lilly Pulitzer’s quote explains her mentality on what is and what is not possible. Lilly achieved such heights because of her can-do attitude that anything is possible.

The famous Thomas Alva Edison was born on February 11th, 1847 and died on October 13th, 1931. Edison was an inventor and businessman who created devices that launched society into a more modern era that led to advancements in electric power generation, mass communication, sound recording, and motion pictures. Some of Edison’s inventions include the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and early versions of the electric light bulb. Edison also pioneered the collaborative research and invention process as one of the first inventors to work with scientists through organized science and team work. Edison also constructed the first industrial research laboratory. Edison acquired a record number of 1,093 patents through all of his inventions. Edison’s legacy continued with Henry Ford in 1912 as Edison made the battery for the Model T car.

Thomas Edison’s quote explains his resilience and perseverance in his inventions. He didn’t get it right in the first try, but instead found hundreds and thousands of tries that don’t work until he would eventually find one that does.

Booker T. Washington was born April 5th, 1856 and died on November 14, 1915. Washington was an educator and reformer, the first president/principal of what is now the Tuskegee University, and the most influential spokesman for Black Americans between 1895 and 1915. Washington advised U.S. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. Washington is remembered alongside W.E.B. Du Bois in their infamous conflicts over segregation. Washington is still remembered as one of the most influential African American speakers of the time. Washington cultivated growth in the African American population through his post Civil-war reform beliefs that a place in society could be earned through education and skills.

Booker T. Washington explains the effect of trust in a person as people’s attitude towards others and themselves change when you give them a chance. Washington believed that education would allow for responsibility and trust to be placed in the African American population so that success could come into fruition.

Colin Powell was born on April 5th, 1937 and died on October 18th, 2021. Powell was a U.S. 4 star general, statesman, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993, and 65th secretary of state from 2001 to 2005. Powell was the first African American to hold either position. Powell served in Vietnam and later played a leading role under the president of George Bush as Powell helped plan the invasion of Panama in 1989, operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf war. Powell resigned in 2004 and died in 2021 due to Covid 19 at the age of 84.

Colin Powell’s quote explains how he used his optimism to exponentially increase his force and ability. Powell faced so many difficulties, but used his optimism to stay strong in the hard times.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II was released on February 19th 2009 as the sequel to the squad-based real time strategy game Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War from 2004. A follow up to Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II came in 2017 with the aptly titled Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III. Dawn of War II introduced new gameplay mechanics such as directional cover and destructible terrain alongside a new campaign that had a two-player co-op mode. The gameplay also was altered from Dawn of War as base building was removed with a heavier focus on cover to improve the gameplay flow.

Angelos is one of the most prevalent characters in the Warhammer series. His quote also refers to fate and how the strong act against a pre-assigned date in order to claim their own.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a life simulator video game released on March 20th, 2020 for the Nintendo Switch as the 5th game in the franchise. The game is a cozy and comfortable game where you explore life on a secluded island that started without any buildings, residents or society as a whole. New Horizons revolutionized the system from the past games in the series with all of the staples from the series like house expansions, catching critters for the museum, harvesting fruits, buying furniture, clothes, and more in the space of a simulated life with a real time clock. However, this game also added far, far more aspects with the ability to craft and make tools, terraform your island, and more. The game is the 2nd best selling game on the Switch with 46 million copies.

Audie is a wolf villager who appears with the color

Scheme of a fox. While unconfirmed, it’s probable that she was based off of one of the game designer’s grandmother who played the previous game for 3500 hours. Audie’s quote explains that you should be a person now who you in the future will not regret. In the same way, you should make decisions now that create the future you that won’t regret being in the future.

Hotline Miami is a 2012 top down action shooter game that has a high level of difficulty with horrendously hard close combat gameplay. The game is set in an alternative version of Miami in 1989 where you act as an antihero against the shady underworld. Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number was released on March 10th, 2015, as a prequel/sequel which features 12 new playable characters, more weapons and levels as well as a level editor. Hotline Miami is one of the most successful indie games, yet it is still rather niche.

Don Juan is a fictional liberator that visits Jacket in a dream. Her quote reflects how overindulgence in work can bring anyone down because of how much is going on. Her quote enforces the idea of taking breaks to improve oneself.

Kingdom Hearts II was released on December 22nd, 2005 and is the third game in the Kingdom Hearts series as a direct sequel to Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories. The game focuses on Sora and his friends from across the Disneyverse battling against the forces of darkness. Timeline wise, Kingdom Hearts II takes place after Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days and right before Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. Kingdom Hearts Re:coded takes place during the epilogue of Kingdom Hearts II. Complicated timeline shenanigans aside, the enhanced version of Kingdom Hearts II–Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix–was released on March 29th, 2007 and added more enemies, scenes, and expanded the world as a whole. The game starts with the character Roxas who is on summer vacation until he gets caught up with Organization XIII who leads Roxas to an abandoned mansion where he finds Sora, Donald, and Goofy recovering from their adventures in the past game. After the prologue ends, Sora reawakens and continues his journey to spread the light through the heart of the Disney worlds and stop the darkness.

Axel is a member of Organization XIII who is with Roxas at the start of Kingdom Hearts II and overcomes villainy later on. Axel’s quote explains how we can’t wait for what we want to just happen. We need to spontaneously act and allow for our desires to come forth. To Axel, that is how dreams can be achieved.

Sorry for missing last week’s post. I decided to fuse last week’s post and this week’s post into one for Thanksgiving. Regardless, have a great Thanksgiving everyone!! Enjoy spending the Holiday with your family. If you don’t celebrate (or if you do), have a great week anyway!

0 comments