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"If we stay, the charges we face may carry long prison sentences, and I believe the prosecution has an axe to grind. If we run, though, we'll be running from one of the largest militaries in the Western Spiral Arm, and they'll be swinging the axe."
Captain Tagon, Schlock Mercenary

Zuko: If the Earth Kingdom finds us, they'll have us killed!
Iroh: But if the Fire Nation finds us, we'll be turned over to Azula.
(Beat)
Zuko: Earth Kingdom it is.

Del Boy: If you think I'm staying in a lead-lined nissen hut with you and Grandad, and a chemical bloody khazi, you've got another thing coming!
Rodney Trotter: Yeah, but if we leave the shelter before two years, we'll die of radiation poisoning.
Del Boy: And if we stay inside the shelter for two years, we'll die of bloody lead poisoning!

Captain Harris: We can't reach the bomb, we can't land. And if we stay up here, we get radiation poisoning. Whichever way you look at it, we don't stand a chance.
Commander Norman: They haven't got a chance. We've just got to sit here and wait for them to die.

Scarecrow: This is merely a sentencing hearing. Now, what will it be? Death, or exile [onto the frozen river]?
Gordon: Crane, if you think we're going out onto that ice willingly, you have another thing coming!
Scarecrow: ...Death, then?
Gordon: Looks that way.
Scarecrow: Very well. Death! (slams gavel) By exile.

Elliot Carver: Mr. Wallace, call the President. Tell him if he doesn't sign the bill lowering the cable rates, we will release the video of him with the cheerleader in the Chicago motel room.
Mr. Wallace: Inspired, sir.
Elliot Carver: And after he signs the bill, release the tape anyway.
Mr. Wallace: Consider him slimed.

"Though all poodles bark snappily at the slightest provocation, they are particularly inclined to do so when nothing at all is happening."
The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery

"A spy emerged from a consumer focus test, revealing that Harmonix is considering a hundred and fifty to two hundred dollar price tag for the software, one guitar, a microphone, and the fanciful drum apparatus. People seemed to like this better [than Rock Band costing three hundred dollars], but only marginally so - the way one might prefer to be stabbed than shot. Optimally, one isn't stabbed or shot. Optimally, one eats some cake! But there are times when cake is not available, and instead we are destroyed. This is the deep poetry of the universe."

Cadet: What's the matter? Don't girls like doing push-ups in the mud?
Lisa: Is there any answer I can give that won't result in you making me do more push-ups?
(Cadets talk amongst themselves for a few seconds)
Cadet: No.

A crack on the head is what you'll get for not asking
And a crack on the head is what you'll get for asking.

"Damned if you do, damned if you don't."
Unknown

"Heads, I win; tails, you lose."
Unknown

Sissel: All right, then. Four minutes from now... this chair will short out and explode, and you'll die.
Jowd: Very sad.
Sissel: If I stop the explosion, you'll still be executed, and you'll still die.
Jowd: Sorry I was ever born.
Sissel: I have to protect you from the explosion and stop the execution... (the key to the whole thing must be this chair.)
Jowd: I apologize for all your trouble.
Sissel: Uh, could you stop with the insincere comments?

Victim of collision on the open sea
Nobody ever said life was free
Sink, swim, go down with the ship
But use your freedom of choice
Devo, "Freedom of Choice"

"Like choosing between plague or cholera."
Swedish proverb

Grant: OW! Why do I get hit whenever he says something?!
Girem6: Semantics. Hitting the partner of the offender encourages discipline.
Grant: Oh... well in that case, those boots make you look fat.
*Grant gets body slammed by another mook*
Grant: OW! Why'd I get hit that time?!
Girem6: Because I blame your friend for that comment.

"Do you stand? Do you duck? Either way, you're fucked!! The decisions you make in this game are like... say you're standing in a pool full of piss, all the way up to your neck. Then suddenly a guy comes in with a bucket full of shit to dump on your head. So, what do you do? Do you duck down under the piss, or do you stay up and take on the shit?"

Gordy: You see, Ned, fighting against a girl is a lose-lose situation.
Ned: What do you mean?
Gordy: Well, if you lose, *singsong* then you got beat up by a girl! But if you win, *sounds horrified* then, dude, you just beat up a girl!

Free me, if you will, and I will return to my masters' side, hastening the end of all. Destroy me, if you can, and my essence will join that of so many others, flowing unchecked into the cracks we have opened in your world. In either event, it will be hard for you to continue - very hard indeed - knowing what you now know:
We have already won.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Clanbook: Baali

Hiccup: Okay, so, the Thorston challenge. When is Ruffnut going to pay up?
Tuffnut: She already has. Can't you tell? I mean, look at her. She lost, so, she had to swap clothes with me!
Hiccup: ...Right. And if you had lost?
Tuffnut: Ugh. I'd have to swap clothes with her.

Attention. All honor students will be rewarded with a trip to an archaeological dig. Conversely, all detention students will be punished with a trip to an archaeological dig.
Principal Skinner, The Simpsons

"I feel like this sums up Telltale Games in a nutshell: In the end, despite not picking her to live, she died anyway."
Jacksepticeye, on the ending of The Walking Dead: A New Frontier

This country's, or Allebahst's: Which country's court would you like to face first? Either way, it's game over for you.

"Did you know that in the 18th century, the English tested witches by throwing them into the river? If they drowned, they were innocent; if they floated, they were guilty. Some test! Even if you didn't sink, you were sunk."
Phyllis Diller, The Mouse Factory

"Never! You must choose, Sheriff Woody! How shall [Bo Peep] die? Shark? Or...death by monkeys?"
Evil Dr. Porkchop, in one of Andy's playtime scenarios, Toy Story 2

Is carnage the only possible future, sweetling? If the vampires win, all will die. If the vampires lose, the tattered truce will slip away, and the survivors will tear each other apart. What will you do? We wait in ravenous anticipation.
The Buzzing, The Secret World

"When the fighting in the North is over, someone wins, you understand that, don't you? If the dead win, they march South, and kill us all. If the living win, and we've betrayed them... they march South and kill us all!"
Jaime Lannister, Game of Thrones

Tommy: [on a rigged boxing match] What happens if the gypsy knocks the other man out? I mean, he's done it before, hasn't he?
Turkish: We get murdered before we leave the building and I imagine we get fed to the pigs.
Tommy: Well, I'm glad to see you're climbing the walls in fuckin' anxiety. Pardon my cynicism, but I don't exactly trust the pikey.
Turkish: Don't think I haven't thunk about that one, Tommy. It's his mum's funeral tonight, God bless her. You know those gypsies like a drink at a wake: I'm not worried about whether Mickey knocks the other man out... I'm worried about whether Mickey makes it to the fourth fuckin' round.
Tommy: What if he doesn't make it to the fourth round?
Turkish: We get murdered before we leave the building and I imagine we get fed to the pigs.
Tommy: So why are you so calm? I just said-
Turkish: I HEARD WHAT YOU SAID, TOMMY!! It ain't like we've got a choice, is it? You show me how to control a wild fuckin' gypsy, and I'll show you how to control an unhinged pig-feedin' gangster! Fuck me, I'm going for a walk!

If we run, they will claw us into the dirt and their hounds will gnaw the gristle from our bones.
If we surrender, they will bind and bleed us, and Minotaurs will feast on our flesh.
If we fight, they will hack and rip and bight and butcher, and they will swallow our still-beating hearts.
So many deaths. Which will we choose?
Blind Nowl, the Seer of Parravon, Warhammer: Beastmen Army Book (8th edition)

"The king is having sex with his daughter, and to keep suitors from marrying her, he asks them to solve a riddle. If they don't solve it, he kills them. If they do solve it, he also kills them, since the answer is 'the king is having sex with his daughter.'"
Narrator, "Pericles, Prince of Tired Plots" by Francis Heaney

''Aimy particularly took grim delight in asking every Acolyte she saw if they thought her hair looked funny, then doing mean things to anyone who gave the wrong answer. There wasn't a right one.
All Guardsmen Party, "Tyranid Acquisition Experts"''

The royal guard was armed and mounted without delay; Arneth rode to meet the lines of men in the yard, two dozen guards armed from helmet to metal bootheel, waiting for his order. He surveyed them a moment, thinking. Against a very clever and annoying yet harmless trickster, they were overpowering: the king's mailed fist hammering down to crush an ephemeral pleasure. Set against a great magical power, they would be helpless; they would be destroyed. Either way, as a threat or weapon, they were useless.
Od Magic, by Patricia A. MacKillip

"...This is another one of those moments where it really doesn't matter what I have to say, isn't it?"
The Warrior of Light, Final Fantasy XIV

Shirou: He and I are nothing alike!
Archer: Right; so, since he said that, I'm going to guess that I should say, "we're exactly alike"...? There's no right answer for me here, is there?

Kendra: Let's go over this one more time.
Lucy: Okay.
Kendra: If he does it and I let him...
Lucy: You're a slut.
Kendra: Right. And if he wants to and I stop him...
Lucy: You're a tease.
Kendra: God! And if I let him and I like it...
Lucy: You're a skank!
Kendra: Wow.
13

(Juice beating up Dodger) Dude, you're beating up a twelve-year old? What an asshole!
(Dodger beating up Juice) Dude, you're getting beat up by a twelve-year old, what an asshole.

"Hey, look friend, let's just cut the shit. Now we both know why I was transferred. Everybody thinks I'm suicidal, in which case, I'm fucked and nobody wants to work with me; or they think I'm faking to draw a psycho pension, in which case, I'm fucked and nobody wants to work with me. Basically, I'm fucked."
Martin Riggs, Lethal Weapon (1987)

Either we complete a government project, which is abhorrent to me, or we bring a new person into the department, which repulses me to my core. Reminds me of when my dad made me choose which of my pet calves to slaughter with my own hands for my sixth birthday. I couldn't choose, so I slaughtered both of them... and they were delicious.
Ron Swanson, Parks and Recreation

Bart: Lisa, I gotta tell somebody. I was at the Quimby compound yesterday when that frog waiter get whacked. I know that Freddy Quimby is innocent.
Lisa: You're a witness? Bart, you have to tell the police!
Bart: (sigh) I can't.
Lisa: Why?
(the school bus stops, and Bart sees Principal Skinner out the window, staring him down)
Skinner: Bart Simpson, I know you cut school yesterday. And as soon as I can prove it, I'm putting you away... to the Christian Military Reform School! (walks away)
Bart: What he said.
Lisa: Oh, I see. If you testify, Skinner will know you skipped school. Well, if Freddy Quimby didn't do it, I'm sure he'll be found innocent by a fair and impartial jury.
(cut to Homer reading a letter at home)
Homer: Aw, jury duty?! I'll see that Quimby kid hang for this!
Bart: (groans)
Lisa: I knew it was a bad idea to watch him open the mail.
The Simpsons, "The Boy Who Knew Too Much"

"This is an actual, salient criticism of liberal democracy. Say what you will about fascist autocracy, but at least it means a bunch of ignorant people can't accidentally vote in a moron and completely destroy their society. Instead, you have one strong, charismatic leader destroying your society."
H.Bomberguy, "Fallout New Vegas is Genius and Here's Why"

Just the kind of duplicity I'd expect from Luthor. Both doors spell disaster— And either way, I lose... unless I go back the way I came—

Scrooge: Would you rather I'd let you pass or made you immortal?
Fergus: Neither is satisfactory. A thoughtful son would know that.

"Come on out, Morphix! There's only two ways this can end, and in both of them, you die!"

Olga: I am damned either way, so why even give me a choice?
Kyril: We all have a choice. Even if the choices are bad and worse, it is still your decision to make. Some find it liberating, others do not.''

Jonathan: Do you make it a habit of having private conversations with my high school-age daughter, sir?
Thomas: I assure you, this is the first time she’s called me. Your daughter has impeccable manners, and is well aware of how easily she could damage her own reputation by spending too much time in the company of an unmarried man. Nothing untoward is happening between us.
Jonathan: So you admit that poor behavior is the first thing your mind goes to when my daughter is involved?
Thomas: Is there any route out of this conversation which fails to permit you to paint me as a monster?
InCryptid, "Halfway through the Wood"

Cartman: I thought you guys were all trying to force me to eat healthy, but I've learned that a lot of this stuff is made in a factory and processed with tons of salt just like all my favorite foods! Spaghetti-Os, Rice-A-Roni... Here I was thinking what you wanted was stuff from a farmers market. I just didn't want my food to change. School cafeteria meat is just processed crap that comes in a box, and this is... just processed crap that comes in a box. I don't have a problem with it. All I wanted was to be able to eat the same garbage I always have, and this is definitely garbage. And hey, if it happens to be more ethical and sustainable, well, I guess I'm fine with that, too. So, you see, guys? There was actually no reason to protest! We were actually all on the same page all the time! At least we learned that freedom of speech truly doesn't matter! Come on, let's eat!
South Park, "Let Them Eat Goo"

"Will that be cash or cash?"
Eddy, Ed, Edd n Eddy

"You present me with a two pronged road! One leads to hell, and the other also leads to hell!"
Kevin the Mighty, Hunter: The Parenting, "Big D's guide to avoiding arrest"

Dreyfus: You're saying I am guilty because the handwriting is mine.
Bertillon: Yes.
Dreyfus: But I'm equally guilty if the handwriting isn't mine.
Bertillon: Yes.

"Alright you arachnid asshole, this can end in one of two ways, and in both of them, you die. So you wanna do this the easy way, or the hard way?"

If you're expecting me now to explain what I think about [Russia's retreat from the Ukrainian city of Kherson], I'm not going to tell you anything. But I'll explain why. If I support the decision, and say the Ministry of Defense is acting correctly by leaving Kherson, then I'm "publicly calling for Russia's territorial integrity to be violated." In our criminal code that's Article 280 Part 1. I specially checked this morning. Several years in prison. And if I don't support the decision and think the Ministry of Defense has done the wrong thing by leaving Kherson, then I'm "publicly discrediting the Armed Forces," which is also Article 280, but Part 3. With approximately the same jail term. I don't want to go to prison. So now we'll watch a report and then I'll hand over to our dear experts.
Russian TV host Andrei Norkin, doing all he can to avoid commenting on the retreat from Kherson during the invasion of Ukraine

It was several nights after that when the cry came from the Regent's room. The sorrowful wail shook through the entire building, waking everyone from their sleep. Some contemplated going to investigate, but none could summon the courage. Outside the locked door, the two soldiers guarding the Regent came to an unspoken understanding: The door would remain closed. They refused to contemplate what had occurred, for if the Regent had died that meant that the charade was over, and if he lived they would be punished for intruding on him. The only option was to do as they had been told, and guard the door.

Banion: You realize that you have just admitted to all your guests that you and I are having an affair.
Elodie: What?
Banion: If you don't marry me now, your virtue will be stained.
Elodie: I am already engaged!
Banion: Then your honor is compromised no matter what you do. You should have been more careful.
Long Live the Queen, if Elodie is duped into dancing with Banion while she is already engaged to Talarist

"It is literally impossible to be a woman. You are so beautiful and so smart, and it kills me that you don't think you're good enough. Like we always have to be extraordinary. But somehow, we're always doing it wrong. You have to be thin, but not too thin, and you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to be healthy, but also you have to be thin. You have to have money, but you can't ask for money because that's crass. You have to be a boss, but you can't be mean. You have to lead, but you can't squash other people’s ideas. You're supposed to love being a mother, but don't talk about your kids all the damn time. You have to be a career woman, but also always be looking out for other people. You have to answer for men's bad behavior, which is insane, but if you point that out, you're accused of complaining. You're supposed to stay pretty for men, but not so pretty you tempt them too much or that you threaten other women because you're supposed to be a part of the sisterhood but always stand out. And always be grateful. But never forget that the system is rigged, so find a way to acknowledge that but also always be grateful. You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line. It's too hard, it's too contradictory, and nobody gives you a medal or says thank you. And it turns out, in fact, that not only are you doing everything wrong, but also everything is your fault. I'm just so tired of watching myself and every single other woman tie herself into knots so that people will like us. And if all of that is also true for a doll just representing a woman…then I don't even know."
Gloria, Barbie

Stinky Diver: Hey, Master Pu! How's it hanging?
Master Pu: Stinkhopper! Have you forgotten all your training? When addressing one's master, one must always bow!
Stinky Diver: (bowing) Uh, yeah... Right... Sorry, Master Pu!
(Master Pu kicks him in the face)
Master Pu: Also: never take your eyes off your opponent!
Action League NOW!, "Flippers of Fury"

Which one should I own? I'm still not sold
I got these console trolls at my throat
They're gonna crucify me either way I go
So screw you all, I'm gonna buy 'em both!
—- JT Music, "The Next Console War"

Paul Kirby: What're you doing? Those things are after us because of those!
Dr. Grant: Those things know we have the eggs. We drop them in the river, they would still be after us.
Paul Kirby: What if they catch us with them?
Dr. Grant: What if they catch us without them?

Producer: So now Set is going to run everything?
Screenwriter: He is, so he tells the people of Egypt, "Either bow to me, or become slaves."
Producer: So what happens to the people that bow to him?
Screenwriter: He makes them into slaves.
Producer: Oh, sneaky!

I've uncovered part of Emily's scheme with this party. It seems that if I participate in activities, my mind regresses. However, the more that I decline to participate, the more the magic of the party would 'encourage' me to play along. Until I figure out a clever workaround, I'm stuck either behaving like a little girl now, or being forced into it later. Delightful.
John, Sleepover Makeover

Mistress Coyle: If [The Spackle/The Land] overrun the Mayor's army, they'll just keep coming and kill the rest of us.
Bradley: And if he beats them?
Mistress Coyle: If he beats them, then his control over this planet will be absolute and that's not a place you'd ever want to live.
Bradley: And what if you had absolute control over this planet? What kind of place would that be?
Chaos Walking: Monsters of Men

Packie McReary: Give us that fucking ice, you're trapped. We'll let you go if you give 'em up.
Unnamed Bulgarin Henchman: I'm screwed either way. If I don't give you the diamonds, you kill me here and you take 'em. I do give you the diamonds, Mr. Bulgarin kills me later. Don't nobody having them. Screw all of you!
[the henchman throws the diamonds off the walkway, where they land in the back of a dump truck]
Grand Theft Auto IV, "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend"

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