"The world fears the inevitable plummet into the abyss. Watch for that moment and when it comes, do not hesitate to leap. It is only when you fall that you learn whether you can fly."
- Flemeth
Taking Risks
"…it is merely an observation on the nature of reality. To say that nothing is true is to realize that the foundations of society are fragile and that we must be the shepherds of our civilization. To say that everything is permitted is to understand that we are the architects of our actions and that we must live with our consequences, whether glorious or tragic."
- Assassin’s Creed: Revelations
Philosophy
"I've struggled a long time with survivin', but no matter what you have to find something to fight for."
- Joel
Motivation
"When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade. Make life take the lemons back! Get mad! I don't want your damn lemons! What am I supposed to do with these?! Demand to see life's manager! Make life rue the day it thought it could give Cave Johnson lemons! Do you know who I am?! I'm the man who's gonna burn your house down! With the lemons! I'm gonna get my engineers to invent a combustible lemon that burns your house down!"
- Cave Johnson
Motivation
"You mustn’t allow yourself to be chained to fate, to be ruled by your genes. Human beings can choose the kind of life that they want to live. What’s important is that you choose life… and then live."
- Metal Gear Solid
Choice
"Endure and survive."
- Ellie
Perseverance
"Life isn’t just about passing on your genes. We can leave behind much more than just DNA. Through speech, music, literature, and movies… what we’ve seen, heard, felt… anger, joy, and sorrow… these are the things I will pass on. That’s what I live for. We need to pass the torch, and let our children read our messy and sad history by its light. We have all the magic of the digital age to do that with. The human race will probably come to an end sometime, and new species may rule over this planet. Earth may not be forever, but we still have the responsibility to leave what traces of life we can. Building the future and keeping the past alive are one and the same thing."
- Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Responsibility
"Even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. But sometimes fear clouds our vision. Sometimes our strength gives out. And yet sometimes, when all seems lost, a light shines through the darkness, and we are reminded that even the smallest amount of courage can turn the tides of war."
- Ignitus (The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon)
Hope
"Hope is what makes us strong. It is why we are here. It is what we fight with when all else is lost."
- Pandora
Hope
"We all make choices in life, but in the end, our choices make us."
- Andrew Ryan (Bioshock)
Choice
"What is better, to be born good or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?"
- Paarthurnax (The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim)
Personal Growth
"I've struggled a long time with survivin', but no matter what, you have to find something to fight for."
- Joel (The Last of Us)
Motivation
"All men dream - but not equally. Those who dream by night, in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity... But the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did."
- Bayonetta (Bayonetta)
Ambition
"Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better."
- Jim Rohn
Motivation
"Even in dark times, we cannot relinquish the things that make us human."
- Khan
Hope
"No matter how dark the night, the morning always comes."
- Final Fantasy X
Hope
"The courage to walk into the Darkness, but strength to return to the Light."
- Parables of the Allspring
Courage
"No matter how dark the night, morning will always come, and our journey begins anew."
- Lulu
Hope
"Just do one thing or the other, don't try to be two people at once."
- Arthur Morgan
Choice
"Our world, with its rules of causality, has trained us to be miserly with forgiveness. By forgiving too readily, we can be badly hurt. But if we’ve learned from a mistake and become better for it, shouldn’t we be rewarded for the learning, rather than punished for the mistake?"
- Braid
Learning from Mistakes
"Right and wrong are not what separate us and our enemies. It’s our different standpoints, our perspectives that separate us. Both sides blame one another. There’s no good or bad side. Just two sides holding different views."
- Final Fantasy VIII
Awareness
"It’s dangerous to go alone, take this!"
- Old Man
Empowerment
"War. War never changes."
- Ron Perlman
Philosophy
"Boss... you were right. It's not about changing the world. It's about doing our best to leave the world... the way it is. It's about respecting the will of others, and believing in your own."
- Big Boss
Respect
"Death is inevitable. Our fear of it makes us play safe, blocks out emotion. It's a losing game. Without passion, you are already dead."
- Max Payne
Motivation
"You can’t undo what you’ve already done, but you can face up to it."
- Frank Coleridge
Responsibility
"How many are there in you? Whose hopes and dreams do you encompass? Could you but see the eyes in your own, the minds in your mind, you would see how much we share."
- Vortigaunt
Connection to Earth
"Now is the time to choose! Die and be free of pain, or live and fight your sorrow. Now is the time to shape your stories! Your fate is in your hands"
- Final Fantasy X
Choice
"The healthy human mind doesn't wake up in the morning thinking this is its last day on Earth. But I think that's a luxury, not a curse. To know you're close to the end is a kind of freedom. Good time to take...inventory."
- Captain Price
Awareness
"A man chooses; a slave obeys."
- Bioshock
Choice
"The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world."
- G-Man
Motivation
"I am Andrew Ryan, and I’m here to ask you a question. Is a man not entitled to the sweat of his brow? ‘No!’ says the man in Washington, ‘It belongs to the poor.’ ‘No!’ says the man in the Vatican, ‘It belongs to God.’ ‘No!’ says the man in Moscow, ‘It belongs to everyone.’ I rejected those answers; instead, I chose something different. I chose the impossible. I chose… Rapture, a city where the artist would not fear the censor, where the scientist would not be bound by petty morality, Where the great would not be constrained by the small! And with the sweat of your brow, Rapture can become your city as well."
- Bioshock
Ambition
"No gods or kings. Only man."
- Andrew Ryan
Belief
"What is better – to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?"
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Personal Growth
"You can’t break a man the way you break a dog, or a horse. The harder you beat a man, the taller he stands."
- The Jackal
Resilience
"Force answers force, war breeds war, and death only brings death. To break this vicious circle, one must do more than just act without any thought or doubt."
- Metro 2033
Philosophy
"No matter how dark the night, morning always comes, and our journey begins anew."
- Lulu
Hope
"A sword wields no strength unless the hands that holds it has courage."
- The Hero's Shade
Courage
"We don’t stop playing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop playing."
- George Bernard Shaw
Personal Growth
"War. War never changes. But men do, through the roads they walk."
- The narrator
Philosophy
"Science isn't about why! It’s about why not!"
- Cave Johnson
Creativity
"Stand in the ashes of a trillion dead souls and ask the ghosts if honor matters. Their silence is your answer."
- Mass Effect 3
Philosophy
"The truth, Walker, is that you’re here because you wanted to feel like something you’re not: A hero."
- Spec Ops: The Line
Self-awareness
"Federico: It is a good life we lead, brother. Ezio: The best. May it never change. Federico: And may it never change us."
- Federico and Ezio Auditore
Family
"I raised you, and loved you, I've given you weapons, taught you techniques, endowed you with knowledge. There's nothing more for me to give you. All that's left for you to take is my life."
- The Boss
Love
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."
- President Thomas Jefferson
Courage
"War is where the young and stupid are tricked by the old and bitter into killing each other."
- Niko Bellic
Adversity
"Praise the sun!"
- Solaire of Astora
Hope
"We are all our own worst enemy. But also, our best teacher."
- Super Street Fighter IV
Self-awareness
"All men dream – but not equally. Those who dream by night, in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity… But the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did."
- Uncharted 3
Ambition
"Hope is what makes us strong. It is why we are here. It's what we fight with when all else is lost."
- Emperor Yoshiro (Command and Conquer 3)
Hope
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. So just take it step by step."
- Ryu (Street Fighter Alpha 3)
Motivation
"True victory is to give all of yourself, without regret."
- Kellogg (Fallout 4)
Achievement
"Heroes never die."
- Mercy (Overwatch)
Hope
"If our lives are already written, it would take a courageous man to change the script."
- Alan Wake
Courage
"You must always remember that the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
- Youngster (Pokémon Blue/Red/Yellow)
Responsibility
"Never give up. Trust your instincts."
- Peppy Hare (Lylat Wars/Star Fox 64)
Perseverance
"We don't get to choose how we start in this life. Real 'greatness' is what you do with the hand you're dealt."
- Victor Sullivan (Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception)
Motivation
"We are all our own worst enemy. But also our best teacher."
- Gouken (Super Street Fighter IV)
Self-awareness
"Nothing is true, everything is permitted."
- Ezio Auditore
Philosophy
"What is a man but the sum of his memories? We are the stories we live, the tales we tell ourselves."
- Assassin’s Creed: Revelations
Philosophy
"If history only remembers one in a thousands of us, then the future will be filled with stories of who we were and what we did."
- Battlefield 1
Contribution
"We're made up of thousands of parts with thousands of functions all working in tandem to keep us alive. Yet if only one part of our imperfect machine fails, life fails. It makes one realize how fragile, how flawed we are."
- Ingun Black-Briar
Awareness
"Only a mind free of impediments is capable of grasping the chaotic beauty of the world."
- Assassin’s Creed
Awareness
"Batman: You want to know something funny? Even after everything you've done, I would have saved you. The Joker: [laughs, coughs] Actually, that is pretty funny."
- Batman and Joker
Forgiveness
"Good men mean well. We just don't always end up doing well."
- Isaac Clarke
Reflection
"A famous explorer once said that the extraordinary is in what we do, not who we are."
- Tomb Raider
Contribution
"Stand in the ashes of a trillion dead souls, and asks the ghosts if honor matters. The silence is your answer."
- Javik
Reflection
"The best solution to a problem is usually the easiest one. And I'll be honest - killing you is hard. You know what my days used to be like? I just tested. Nobody murdered me, or put me in a potato, or fed me to birds. I had a pretty good life. And then you showed up. You dangerous, mute lunatic. So you know what? You win. Just go. [chuckles] It's been fun. Don't come back."
- GLaDOS
Reflection
"The thing about happiness is that you only know you had it when it’s gone. I mean, you may think to yourself that you’re happy. But you don’t believe it. You focus on the petty bull ****, or the next job, or whatever. It’s only looking back by comparison with what comes after that you understand, that’s what happiness felt like."
- Fallout 4
Happiness
"Often when we guess at others' motives, we reveal only our own."
- Mara Sov
Insight
"My past is not a memory. It’s a force at my back. It pushes and steers. I may not always like where it leads me, but like any story, the past needs resolution. What’s past is prologue."
- Metroid: The Other M
Reflection
"Ghost: This path should lead us straight to the grave. [pause] Ghost: The World's Grave. Not ours."
- Ghost
Hope
"You gave them the one thing that was stolen from them. A chance. A chance to learn. To find love. To live. And in the end what was your reward? You never said. But I think I know: a family."
- Bioshock
Compassion
"Protocol one: link to Pilot. Protocol two: uphold the mission. Protocol three: protect the Pilot."
- BT-7274
Responsibility
"You are here, and it’s beautiful, and escaping isn’t always something bad."
- Delilah
Awareness
"Hard to see big picture behind pile of corpses."
- Mordin Solus
Reflection
"Life is all about resolve. Outcome is secondary."
- Waka
Determination
"Tell me Bats. What are you really scared of? Failing to save this cesspool of a city? Not finding the Commissioner in time? Me, in a thong?"
- The Joker
Facing Fears
"Does this unit have a soul?"
- Legion
Philosophy
"What is a man? A miserable little pile of secrets."
- Dracula
Philosophy
"You are not a good person. You know that, right? Good people don't end up here."
- GLaDOS
Belief in Self
"Had to be me… Someone else might have got it wrong."
- Mass Effect 3
Responsibility
"There are no heroes here, only survivors!"
- Mathais (Tomb Raider)
Adversity
"It's a funny thing, ambition. It can take one to sublime heights or harrowing depths. And sometimes they are one and the same."
- Emily Kaldwin
Ambition
"Love is just a chemical. We give it meaning by choice."
- Bioshock 2
Belief
"When you love something, never lose it. Understand, little one? You must keep it safe, close to your heart."
- Manuel Calavera (Grim Fandango)
Love
"It's more important to master the cards you're holding than to complain about the ones your opponents were dealt."
- Grimsley
Focus
"Given enough time, any man may master the physical. Given enough knowledge, any man may become wise. It is a true warrior, who can master both."
- Waka (Okami)
Wisdom
"Some trees flourish, others die. Some cattle grow strong, others are taken by wolves. Some men are born rich enough and dumb enough to enjoy their lives. Ain't nothing fair."
- John Marston
Philosophy
"War. War never changes"
- Fallout
Philosophy
"Wanting something does not give you the right to have it."
- Ezio Auditore
Belief
"Shadow and light are two sides of the same coin. One cannot exist without the other."
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Philosophy
"The ending isn’t any more important than any of the moments leading to it."
- Dr Rosalene
Philosophy
"What is a man but the sum of his memories? We are the stories we live! The tales we tell ourselves!"
- Clay Kaczmarek
Self-awareness
"What is bravery, without a dash of recklessness?"
- Dark Souls
Bravery
"Every action has the potential to fill or empty one's heart."
- Rose (Street Fighter Alpha 3)
Responsibility
"The closer you get to the Light... the greater your shadow becomes."
- Kingdom Hearts
Philosophy
"Life is cruel. Of this I have no doubt. One can only hope that one leaves behind a lasting legacy. But so often, the legacies we leave behind... are not the ones we intended."
- Queen Myrrah
Reflection
"Time passes, people move. Like a river’s flow, it never ends. A childish mind will turn to noble ambition."
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Ambition
"What is better? To be born good or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?"
- Paarthurnax
Philosophy
"A hero need not speak. When he is gone, the world will speak for him."
- Halo
Bravery
"It's easy to forget what a sin is in the middle of a battlefield."
- Solid Snake
Awareness
"Trust me."
- BT-7274
Belief
"Nothing is more badass than treating a woman with respect!"
- Mr. Torgue
Respect
"Stay awhile, and listen!"
- Deckard Cain
Connection to Earth
"My brothers and sisters... I will see you again. Someday. You've given them back to me."
- Lord Saladin Forge
Hope
"We both said a lot of things that you're going to regret. But I think we can put our differences behind us. For science. You monster."
- GLaDOS
Forgiveness
"Wake me when you need me."
- John-117
Service
"Requiescat in pace."
- Ezio Auditore
Peace
"Every puzzle has an answer."
- Professor Layton
Determination
"Do a barrel roll!"
- Star Fox 64
Taking Risks
"Steel wins battles. Gold wins wars."
- Davion the Dragon Knight
Ambition
"Send me out...with a bang."
- Sgt. Avery Johnson
Bravery
"Reliance upon others is weakness for the strong but strength for the weak. Wisdom and balance lie in knowing your own nature over time."
- Final Doom
Balance
"If all else fails use fire."
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Taking Risks
"Someday you're bound to lose everything. Everybody around you will be gone."
- Squall Leonhart (Final Fantasy VIII)
Adversity
"It is a good life we lead, brother."
- Federico
Gratitude
"The best. May it never change."
- Ezio
Gratitude
"And may it never change us."
- Federico
Integrity
"Reliance upon others is a weakness for the strong but strength for the weak. Wisdom and balance lie in knowing your nature over time."
- Thief II
Balance
"Good! Now we can fight as warriors. Hand-to-hand, it is the basis of all combat. Only a fool trusts his life to a weapon."
- Metal Gear Solid
Bravery
"A hero need not speak. When he is gone, the world will speak for him"
- Halo
Bravery
"NOTHING IS MORE BADASS THAN TREATING A WOMAN WITH RESPECT!"
- Borderlands 2
Respect
"I don’t need a weapon; my friends are my power!"
- Kingdom Hearts
Connection to Earth
"Life is the only game in which the object of the game is to learn the rules."
- Ashleigh Brilliant
Learning
"Chess is a school of silence."
- Marcel Duchamp
Learning
"You’ve met with a terrible fate, haven’t you?"
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Adversity
"I don’t want to set the world on fire…"
- Song
Hope
"There was a HOLE here. It's gone now."
- In-game text
Reflection
"Stop right there, criminal scum!"
- Town Guard
Bravery
"Did I ever tell you the definition of insanity?"
- Far Cry 3
Awareness
"I'm rackin' my brain trying to think of a name for that diamond pony I bought. I was gonna call it 'piss-for-brains' in honor of you, but that just feels immature. Maybe... 'Butt Stallion'?"
- Handsome Jack
Boldness
"It's super effective!"
- Pokemon series
Achievement
"What is a drop of rain, compared to the storm? What is a thought, compared to the mind?"
- System Shock 2
Philosophy
"Thank you Mario! But our Princess is in another castle!"
- Toad
Hope
"The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation . . . . A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind."
- Henry David Thoreau
Philosophy
"It should be noted that the games of children are not games, and must be considered as their most serious actions."
- Michel de Montaigne
Awareness
"Get over here!"
- Scorpion
Bravery
"Good men mean well. We just don’t always end up doing well."
- Dead Space 3
Belief
"Do you like hurting other people?"
- Richard
Bravery
"It's time to kick ass and chew bubblegum... and I'm all outta gum."
- Duke Nukem
Boldness
"You have died of dysentery."
- The Oregon Trail
Adversity
"I used to be an adventurer like you, until I took an arrow to the knee."
- Town Guard
Reflection
"Hey! Listen!"
- Na'vi
Awareness
"Grass grows, birds fly, sun shines, and brother, I hurt people."
- The Scout
Bravery
"Snake? Snake? SNAAAAAAAAKE!!!"
- The Colonel
Bravery
"War has changed"
- Metal Gear Solid IV
Change
"Finish him!"
- Mortal Kombat announcer
Bravery
"... but we enjoyed playing games and were punished for them by men who played games themselves. However, grown-up games are known as 'business' and even though boys' games are much the same, they are punished for them by their elders."
- Saint Augustine
Philosophy
"If any question why we died Tell them, because our fathers lied."
- Rudyard Kipling
Philosophy
"People became more interested in my love life than in me, and that has a certain effect. You start to feel very empty and worth nothing, you start to become a piece in a board game you never wanted to play."
- Anna Friel
Adversity
"Family, religion, friendship. These are the three demons you must slay if you wish to succeed in business."
- C. Montgomery Burns
Ambition
"You can always rely on America to do the right thing—once it has exhausted the alternatives."
- Winston Churchill
Philosophy
"In the first six to twelve months of a war with the United States and Britain, I will run wild and win victory after victory, after that...I have no expectation of success."
- Admiral Yamamoto
Determination
"The way a man plays a game shows some of his character. The way he loses shows all of it."
- Uncredited
Belief in Self
"YOU DIED"
Adversity