Dead Poets Society is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with audiences through its profound and unforgettable quotes.
These quotes aren’t just dialogue—they’re life lessons wrapped in poetry and passion. It’s no wonder Dead Poets Society is celebrated as one of the most iconic films of its generation.
Here are the 10 best quotes from Dead Poets Society:
1.
John Keating (Robin Williams): There’s a time for daring and there’s a time for caution, and a wise man understands which is called for.
2.
John Keating (Robin Williams): We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, “O me! O life!… of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless… of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?” Answer. That you are here – that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?
3.
Boys, you must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all.
John Keating (Robin Williams)
4.
John Keating (Robin Williams): No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.
5.
John Keating (Robin Williams): Invincible, just like you feel. The world is their oyster. They believe they’re destined for great things, just like many of you. Their eyes are full of hope, just like you. Did they wait until it was too late to make from their lives even one iota of what they were capable? Because you see, gentlemen, these boys are now fertilizing daffodils. But if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. Listen. You hear it?… Carpe… Hear it?… Carpe. Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.
6.
Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard): For the first time in my whole life, I know what I wanna do! And for the first time, I’m gonna do it! Whether my father wants me to or not! Carpe diem!
7.
John Keating (Robin Williams): Sucking the marrow out of life doesn’t mean choking on the bone.
8.
John Keating (Robin Williams): This is a battle, a war, and the casualties could be your hearts and souls.
9.
John Keating (Robin Williams): Captain, my Captain. Who knows where that comes from? Anybody? Not a clue? It’s from a poem by Walt Whitman about Mr. Abraham Lincoln. Now in this class you can either call me Mr. Keating, or if you’re slightly more daring, O Captain my Captain.
10.
John Keating (Robin Williams): We’re not laughing at you. We’re laughing near you.