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Main Game - Main Questline
"War... War never changes.
In the year 1945, my great-great grandfather, serving in the army, wondered when he'd get to go home to his wife and the son he'd never seen. He got his wish when the U.S. ended World War II by dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The world awaited Armageddon... but instead, something miraculous happened. We began to use atomic energy not as a weapon, but as a nearly limitless source of power. People enjoyed luxuries once thought the realm of science fiction: domestic robots, fusion-powered cars, portable computers...
But then, in the 21st century, people awoke from the American Dream. Years of consumption led to shortages of nearly every major resource. The entire world unraveled. Peace became a distant memory. It is now the year 2077. We stand on the brink of total war... and I am afraid. For myself, for my wife, for my infant son. Because if my time in the Army taught me one thing, it's that war...
War never changes."
In the year 1945, my great-great grandfather, serving in the army, wondered when he'd get to go home to his wife and the son he'd never seen. He got his wish when the U.S. ended World War II by dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The world awaited Armageddon... but instead, something miraculous happened. We began to use atomic energy not as a weapon, but as a nearly limitless source of power. People enjoyed luxuries once thought the realm of science fiction: domestic robots, fusion-powered cars, portable computers...
But then, in the 21st century, people awoke from the American Dream. Years of consumption led to shortages of nearly every major resource. The entire world unraveled. Peace became a distant memory. It is now the year 2077. We stand on the brink of total war... and I am afraid. For myself, for my wife, for my infant son. Because if my time in the Army taught me one thing, it's that war...
War never changes."
—The Sole Survivor (or Nate)
"Followed by... yes, followed by flashes; blinding flashes, sounds of explosions... We're- we're trying to get confirmation, but we seem to have lost contact with our affiliate stations... We do have coming in... confirmed reports- I repeat, confirmed reports of nuclear detonations in... New York and Pennsylvania... My God."
—The News Anchor on October 23, 2077
"Haven't you been paying attention? You don't find the Institute...the Institute finds you. You open the closet, it's just a closet. You can never find the monster that hides inside... Not until it jumps out at you."
—Conrad Kellogg
"In a hundred years, when I finally die, I only hope I go to Hell so I can kill you all over again, you piece of shit."
—The Sole Survivor, to Conrad Kellogg, the murderer of their spouse and kidnapper of their son.
"Nick and I are gonna share a mind? I'm not gonna see him in any...compromising positions, am I?"
—A sarcastic Sole Survivor
"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 really believe it. You focus on the petty bullshit, or the next job, or whatever. It's only looking back, by comparison to what comes after, that you really understand: that's what happiness felt like."
—Conrad Kellogg
"It was just me against the world...and the world had it coming."
—Conrad Kellogg
''I can feel it wash over me... the heat... the force... the radiation... the fear... it's the end of the world, all over again. I close my eyes. I see my life before all this, before the bombs. Everything can change in an instant, and the future you plan for yourselves shifts, whether or not you're ready. At some point, it happens to all of us.
This wasn't the world I wanted, but it was the one I found myself in; the Commonwealth, my home, ripped apart and put back together. I thought I... I hoped I could find my family, cheat time, make us whole again. The way we were... but now I know. I know I can't go back. I know the world has changed. The road ahead will be hard. This time, I'm ready, because I know war...
War never changes...
This wasn't the world I wanted, but it was the one I found myself in; the Commonwealth, my home, ripped apart and put back together. I thought I... I hoped I could find my family, cheat time, make us whole again. The way we were... but now I know. I know I can't go back. I know the world has changed. The road ahead will be hard. This time, I'm ready, because I know war...
War never changes...
—The Sole Survivor
Main Game - Faction Questlines
"It's true. I was built within the confines of a laboratory, and some of my memories aren't my own. But when I saw my brothers dying at my feet, I felt sorrow. When I defeated an enemy of the Brotherhood, I felt pride. And when I heard your speech about saving the Commonwealth... I felt hope. Don't you understand? I thought I was human, Arthur."
—Paladin Danse arguing for his right to exist during the climax of "Blind Betrayal."
"Look around you, Danse. Look at the scorched earth and the bones that litter the Wasteland. Millions, perhaps even billions, died because science outpaced man's restraint! They called it a 'new frontier' and 'pushing the envelope,' completely disregarding the repercussions! Can't you see that the same thing is happening again?! You're a single bomb in an arsenal of thousands preparing to lay waste to what's left of mankind!"
—Elder Maxson providing a rebuttal to Danse's above argument during "Blind Betrayal."
"You're wearing a suit of steel and energy. You're standing with... your brothers. Your mission. Accomplished. I see a land secured, contained. Dangerous objects taken from those who don't understand. Those who can't be trusted. You are the uniform, and you wear it well. And your rank and chain of command protect you better than the thickest armor."
—Mama Murphy describing her vision of the Commonwealth's future after siding with the East Coast Brotherhood of Steel for the main quest.
"I would ask only that you give him a chance... A chance to be a part of whatever future awaits the Commonwealth."
—Father, talking about Synth!Shaun at the end of the main quest.
Isaac Karlin: Have you had time to examine my latest reports on batch two-seven-four?
Clayton Holdren: (dismissively) Not yet. I've been reviewing Father's plans to expand our operations at Warwick. He's eager to get that going, so I've had to put everything else to one side.
Isaac Karlin: (in contemplative tone) I wonder how the Warwick family is doing. Young Wally must be close to ten years old by now. (shakes his head, sounding amazed) It's remarkable that any child can survive for so long up there.
Clayton Holdren: (awkwardly) I... try not to think too much about it. We have more than enough to occupy ourselves here. Those people are the last remnants of a dying past! It's best not to dwell on the subject.
Isaac Karlin: (disgusted) They're still people, and they're suffering. We can at least admit that it's regrettable! After all, how can we hope to "redefine mankind" if we can't even hold on to our own humanity?
Clayton Holdren: ...Well, that's a question best left to our colleagues in the Robotics division.
Isaac Karlin: (lets out a weary sigh) Yes, well... I suppose you're right.
Clayton Holdren: (dismissively) Not yet. I've been reviewing Father's plans to expand our operations at Warwick. He's eager to get that going, so I've had to put everything else to one side.
Isaac Karlin: (in contemplative tone) I wonder how the Warwick family is doing. Young Wally must be close to ten years old by now. (shakes his head, sounding amazed) It's remarkable that any child can survive for so long up there.
Clayton Holdren: (awkwardly) I... try not to think too much about it. We have more than enough to occupy ourselves here. Those people are the last remnants of a dying past! It's best not to dwell on the subject.
Isaac Karlin: (disgusted) They're still people, and they're suffering. We can at least admit that it's regrettable! After all, how can we hope to "redefine mankind" if we can't even hold on to our own humanity?
Clayton Holdren: ...Well, that's a question best left to our colleagues in the Robotics division.
Isaac Karlin: (lets out a weary sigh) Yes, well... I suppose you're right.
—Clayton Holdren and Isaac Karlin, discussing the Commonwealth and providing a perfect example of the Institute's Bystander Syndrome.
"You're wearing a lab coat. You're standing with... men of science. Visionaries. Brilliant but misunderstood. I see a land marked up, like a great experiment. Each test a new beginning. Each sacrifice an acceptable loss. You will not be loved, but you will save humanity. However you choose to define it."
—Mama Murphy describing her vision of the Commonwealth's future after siding with the Institute for the main quest.
"I have a question. The only question that matters. Would you risk your life for your fellow man? Even if that man is a Synth?"
—Desdemona
"But I had a point here. A lesson, if you will. There are other organisations out there. And, in time, I'm sure they're going to spoon-feed you their own patented form of bullshit. Ignore the verbage and look at what they're doing. What they're asking you to do. What sort of world they'd have you build and how they're going to pay for it."
—Deacon
"Isn't there supposed to be a light?"
—Glory's last words.
"You're wearing a mask. You're standing with... outcasts. The underdogs. The lanterns in the dark. I see a world that will never know your sacrifice. You have led the enslaved to freedom, but they must still hide from those who don't understand. But you'll be there for them. You'll see their humanity when no one else will. You'll be their guardian in the shadows."
—Mama Murphy describing her vision of the Commonwealth's future after siding with the Railroad for the main quest.
"We're citizen soldiers. The people of the Commonwealth banding together to protect ourselves and decide our own future. That was the original idea, and it was a good one."
—Preston Garvey explaining the entire goal of the Commonwealth Minutemen.
"You're standing with... the people. Working together. United. I see a land filled with hope again. Fear falls away as the brave step forward to join the ranks. You're a hero. A symbol for a better world. Our world."
—Mama Murphy describing her vision of the Commonwealth's future after siding with the Commonwealth Minutemen for the main quest.
Companions
"Someday, Super Mutants kill everything."
—Strong
"Whatever caused our fates to intertwine would never let them unravel."
—Paladin Danse
"Humanity is so resilient, to cling to life despite all of this. It is the duty of us all to further that survival."
—Curie
"You think I inject myself with all that shite and drink myself drunk because I'm a 'tough Irish gal?' I do it so I can forget and move on with me miserable life. So there you are. The entire flawed package known as Cait, stripped bare for your perusal."
—Cait
"If someone needs help, we help em. If someone needs hurtin, we hurt em. Seems simple to me."
—Hancock
DLCs
"By my calculations, the easiest way to help a human is simply to destroy it. There's no point in prolonging a laughably fragile life."
—Jezebel
"Now, before you set off on your grand Nuka-Adventure, let me tell you about error system malfunction Are you finished wasting my time, you filthy low-life scavver?! 'Cause I'm getting bored, and when I get bored, I get violent!"
—N.I.R.A.
"The key to sitting on top is following the rules when you have to and breaking 'em when you can get away with it."
—Mason
Miscellaneous
"I've got a weapon for every situation. Hunting, protection, cold blooded murder... hot blooded murder..."
—KL-E-O
"Eddie! It's me! Your old pal - Shamus/Molly McFuckyourself."
—The Sole Survivor
"Damn you, Weatherby Savings and Loan! I spit at thee!"
—Captain Ironsides
"It's closing time, gentlemen. If any of you have changed your mind, it's time to go. James will see you out. No one? Very well. Gentlemen, it has been an honor and a privilege. Before we drink, allow me to offer a final toast. To the world that was. Mankind shall never see its like again."
—Richard Bradford, the leader of the Bolyston Club giving a toast to Pre-War America just before he and the rest of the Club drank poisoned wine a few days after the world ended.
"Hey. I, uh, I found him. Found our boy. He grew up a little bit, but he's a good looking kid. So smart. So very smart. He definitely got that from you. But, um, I couldn’t keep my promise. I couldn’t bring him home. He’s so damn stubborn. He definitely got that from me. I’m so...angry all the time. Always jumping into danger, hoping something just...I don’t know what to fight for anymore. I’m not alone, I’ve got friends that care about me and I care about them. But…this is their world. My world is buried with you. Here, I’m just a man out of time. I love you, Nora. I’m sorry."
— YouTuber Naiwal from the perspective
of the male Sole Survivor
of the male Sole Survivor