Unless you’ve lived under a rock, or dislike great movies, chances are you’ve probably seen The Shawshank Redemption. Maybe even this week. Like we said earlier, you can pretty much turn on the TV and find it on AMC any day of the week. And since the cast reunited to celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary this week, I thought why not share some of the best quotes from the film that are far better than any inspirational quote you’ll find on the internet.
“Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.” — Red
While this may contradict another quote featured further down on this list, it is true. If all you have is hope, than you my friend, have got to get to work to make something happen.
“The world went and got itself in a big damn hurry.” — Brooks
Pretty much sums up the rapid progress happening before our very eyes.
“Salvation lies within.” — Warden Samuel Norton
Sometimes life hands you lemons, and sometimes those lemons will set you free.
“I have to remind myself that some birds aren’t meant to be caged.” — Red
This can be interpreted many ways, but perhaps mostly in that you can’t keep someone from doing the inevitable.
“I tell you those voices soared higher and farther than anybody in a gray place dares to dream.” — Red
Art can get people through tough times.
“The funny thing is, on the outside I was an honest man. Straight as an arrow. I had to come to prison to be a crook.” — Andy Dufresne
Experiences change people.
“These walls are funny. First you hate ’em. Then you get used to ’em. Enough time passes, you get so you depend on them. That’s institutionalized.” — Red
Anyone is subject to succumb to the world changing around them.
“There’s not a day goes by I don’t feel regret. Not because I’m in here, or because you think I should. I look back on the way I was then: a young, stupid kid who committed that terrible crime. I want to talk to him. I want to try and talk some sense to him, tell him the way things are. But I can’t. That kid’s long gone and this old man is all that’s left. I got to live with that. Rehabilitated? It’s just a bullshit word. So you can go and stamp your form, Sonny, and stop wasting my time. Because to tell you the truth, I don’t give a shit.” — Red
Red’s parole speech is just a damn fine speech.
“Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” — Andy Dufresne
Hope gives you something to strive for.
“Get busy living or get busy dying.” — Andy Dufresne
Don’t be your own worst enemy.
