‘Matrix’ Lines For When You Think The World Might Be A Simulation

While usually we feel concrete and firm in our connection to reality, sometimes, there’s a moment, just a moment, where that connection slips. Something seems wrong, or goes against our intuition, or acts out of character. It’s enough to make you wonder… are we living in The Matrix? These lines from the 1999 iconic Wachowski film are perfect when you realize that that might be so.

“Free Your Mind”

We constantly need a reminder to think outside of what we view is possible. It frees us to achieve more, to dream bigger, to accomplish tasks that seem truly impossible. Only by letting go of our biases, our misconceptions, and our fears can we reach for what’s most important. Of course, Morpheus undercuts this a little by jumping off a skyscraper immediately afterward, so, you know, maybe free your mind in respect to improving your diet or getting out more.

“Would You Have Still Broken It If I Hadn’t Said Anything?”

One of the fundamental philosophical problems the Matrix tackles is that of free will, sifting through questions that have bedeviled the world’s greatest minds for centuries. Is everything we say and do determined in advance by some unseen force, like a bunch of robot octopi, or do we control our actions? Is free will unique to each of us, or can we exert control over the will of others? And was Neo raised in a barn or something because come on, guy, at least offer to sweep up.

“I Didn’t Say It Would Be Easy. I Said It Would Be The Truth.”

Facing hard truths, whether about your personal life or the fact that you live in a simulation controlled by evil toasters, is a difficult process for anybody. You can hardly blame Neo for being so horrified at what was revealed to him that he barfs all over the floor of Morpheus’s space ship. But we find the passing out a little suspicious, if for no other reason than he stuck Tank and Apoc with the mopping. Not cool, Neo. Have you ever scrubbed grating? It’s not fun.

“Your Mind Makes It Real”

One thing it’s important to remember, if we’re living in the Matrix, is that our robot overlords don’t believe in “backsies.” Even if it’s pure perception, it’s still real to us. Well, OK, we can put some decent odds on 2016 being a very severe glitch, because come on, if somebody is in control of reality, killing off David Bowie was a dirty trick. But otherwise, it’s still real. Well, “real.” You know what we mean.

“There Is No Spoon”

It’s easy to forget that The Matrix has some genuine philosophy behind it, including this classic line that reflects Rene Descartes’ philosophical exercise that life is literally but a dream. It’s a useful reminder that if this happens to be true, and life really is a shared illusion, then we have more control over it than we think. Which, admittedly, really should be used for more than flatware distortion. Fixing global warming? Inventing spaceships? Curing cancer? Come to think of it, we’ll bend the spoons, kid, you get to work on the serious stuff.

“There’s A Difference Between Knowing The Path, And Walking The Path”

And finally, there’s Morpheus’ valuable reminder that it’s very simple to see a course of action, but it can be vastly more difficult to have the courage to attempt it. Although in Neo’s case, this isn’t really a tough call. “Hey, do you want to run around with Superman’s powers, Batman’s martial arts skills, and the Punisher’s guns to kick the Terminator’s aluminum buttcheeks?” The reason he’s the One is that if just anybody could go down that path, the entire world would just be a snappy action scene.

×