Memorable quotes for
The Karate Kid (1984) More at IMDbPro »

[they arrive at their new home]
Lucille Larusso: This is it. This is the end of the line.
Daniel: You're telling me.

---

Daniel: Hey - you ever get into fights when you were a kid?
Miyagi: Huh - plenty.
Daniel: Yeah, but it wasn't like the problem I have, right?
Miyagi: Why? Fighting fighting. Same same.
Daniel: Yeah, but you knew karate.
Miyagi: Someone always know more.
Daniel: You mean there were times when you were scared to fight?
Miyagi: Always scare. Miyagi hate fighting.
Daniel: Yeah, but you like karate.
Miyagi: So?
Daniel: So, karate's fighting. You train to fight.
Miyagi: That what you think?
Daniel: [pondering] No.
Miyagi: Then why train?
Daniel: [thinks] So I won't have to fight.
Miyagi: [laughs] Miyagi have hope for you.

---

Miyagi: Your friend, all karate student, eh?
Daniel: Friend? Oh, yeah, those guys.
Miyagi: Problem: attitude.
Daniel: No the problem is, I'm getting my ass kicked every other day, that's the problem.
Miyagi: Hai, because boys have bad attitude. Karate for defense only.
Daniel: That's not what these guys are taught.
Miyagi: Hai - can see. No such thing as bad student, only bad teacher. Teacher say, student do.
Daniel: Oh, great, that solves everything for me. I'll just go down to the school and straighten it out with the teacher, no problem.
Miyagi: Now use head for something other than target.

---

[Miyagi karate-chops the tops off three beer bottles]
Daniel: How did you do that? How did you do that?
Miyagi: Don't know. First time.

---

Miyagi: Now, ready?
Daniel: Yeah, I guess so.
Miyagi: [sighs] Daniel-san, must talk.
[they both kneel]
Miyagi: Walk on road, hm? Walk left side, safe. Walk right side, safe. Walk middle, sooner or later
[makes squish gesture]
Miyagi: get squish just like grape. Here, karate, same thing. Either you karate do "yes" or karate do "no." You karate do "guess so,"
[makes squish gesture]
Miyagi: just like grape. Understand?
Daniel: Yeah, I understand.
Miyagi: Now, ready?
Daniel: Yeah, I'm ready.

---

Miyagi: We make sacred pact. I promise teach karate to you, you promise learn. I say, you do, no questions.

---

Daniel: Why didn't you tell me?
Miyagi: Tell what?
Daniel: That you knew karate.
Miyagi: You not ask.
Daniel: Well, where'd you learn it?
Miyagi: Father.
Daniel: But I thought he was a fisherman.
Miyagi: In Okinawa, all Miyagi know two things: fish and karate.

---

Miyagi: Karate come from China, sixteenth century, called te, "hand." Hundred year later, Miyagi ancestor bring to Okinawa, call *kara*-te, "empty hand."
Daniel: I thought it came from Buddhist temples and stuff like that.
Miyagi: You too much TV.

---

Daniel: Oh, great, that solves everything for me. I'll just go down to the school and straighten it out with the teacher, no problem.
Miyagi: Now use head for something other than target.
Daniel: Hey, I was just kidding about that.
Miyagi: Why kidding?
Daniel: Because I'd get killed if I go down there.
Miyagi: Get killed anyway.

---

Daniel: Wouldn't a fly swatter be easier?
Miyagi: Man who catch fly with chopstick accomplish anything.
Daniel: Ever catch one?
Miyagi: Not yet.

---

Kreese: Fear does not exist in this dojo, does it?
Karate Class: NO, SENSEI!
Kreese: Pain does not exist in this dojo, does it?
Karate Class: NO, SENSEI!
Kreese: Defeat does not exist in this dojo, does it?
Karate Class: NO, SENSEI!

---

Daniel: This school sucks, man. Sucks.

---

Daniel: Hey, what kind of belt do you have?
Miyagi: Canvas. JC Penney, $3.98. You like?
Daniel: [laughs] No, I meant...
Miyagi: In Okinawa, belt mean no need rope to hold up pants.
[laughs; then, seriously]
Miyagi: Daniel-san...
[taps his head]
Miyagi: Karate here.
[taps his heart]
Miyagi: Karate here.
[points to his belt]
Miyagi: Karate never here. Understand?

---

Lucille Larusso: Look at those palm trees. Damn! You know what that means?
Daniel: Yeah. Watch out for falling coconuts.

---

Daniel: Hey, you got a name?
Ali: Ali... with an I. Hey, what's your name?
Daniel: Daniel... with an L.

---

Daniel: [after seeing Miyagi practice the crane technique] Could you teach me?
Miyagi: First learn stand, then learn fly. Nature rule, Daniel-san, not mine.
Daniel: Where'd you learn it from?
Miyagi: Father teach.
Daniel: You musta had some father, man.
Miyagi: Oh yes.

---

[some drunks were drinking and setting their beer bottles on Mr. Miyagi's truck]
Miyagi: Excuse me, please. Boy cold. Must leave. Kindly remove bottles.
Yahoo at Beach: Kindly do it yourself, Mr. Moto.

---

Daniel: I can't believe this. I cannot believe this.
Miyagi: What?
Daniel: What you just got me into in there.
Miyagi: Huh?
Daniel: You said you were going to make things better for me.
Miyagi: But I did.
Daniel: How?
Miyagi: How? Just saved you two months beating.
Daniel: Oh great now I really have something to look forward to.

---

Daniel: Hey, where did these old cars come from?
Miyagi: Detroit.

---

Daniel: [throwing his bicycle into a dumpster after being beaten up] This damn bike! I hate this bike. I hate this friggin' bike! Stupid bike.
Lucille Larusso: Daniel! What's the matter? Why did you throw your bike away?
Daniel: Because I felt like it.
Lucille Larusso: Please look at me when I'm talking to you.
[sees Daniel's bruised face]
Lucille Larusso: Oh my god!
Daniel: Mom.
Lucille Larusso: Can you tell me what's going on and don't tell me about another bike accident?
Daniel: What do you want to hear mom?
Lucille Larusso: I want to hear the truth!
Daniel: No you don't want to hear the truth. All you want to hear about is how great it is. Well it maybe great for you but it SUCKS for me! I hate this place! I HATE IT! I just want to go home. Why can't we just go home?
Lucille Larusso: Listen to me. I cannot help you unless you tell me what's wrong.
Daniel: I gotta take karate. That's it.
Lucille Larusso: You took karate!
Daniel: No, not at the Y. At a good school.
Lucille Larusso: But fighting doesn't solve anything Daniel.
Daniel: Yeah well neither does palm trees mom.
Lucille Larusso: That's not fair!
Daniel: Like it was fair coming over here without asking me how I felt about it. Right, that was real fair.
Lucille Larusso: You're right. I should've asked.
Daniel: Well I just want to go home. That's it. I don't understand the rules here and I just want to go home.
Lucille Larusso: Let's clean you up and maybe we can figure the rules out together. What about your bike?
Daniel: It's safer taking a bus.

---

Kreese: We do not train to be merciful here. Mercy is for the weak. Here, in the streets, in competition: A man confronts you, he is the enemy. An enemy deserves no mercy.
Kreese: [sseing that Johnny is distracted] What is the problem Mr. Lawrence?

---

[Daniel is about to have his first match in the tournament]
Daniel: All right, so what are the rules here?
Miyagi: Don't know. First time you, first time me.
Daniel: Well, I figured you knew about this stuff. I figured you went to these before. Oh great, I'm dead. I am dead. You told me you fought a lot.
Miyagi: For life, not for points.

---

Daniel: Where am I, this ring over here?
Miyagi: Hai. Number three.
Daniel: What's that guy kneeling like that for?
Miyagi: Don't know.
Daniel: Don't you know anything you can tell me?
Miyagi: Hai. No get hit.

---

[Bobby is about to face Daniel in the semifinals]
Kreese: Bobby - I want him out of commission.
Bobby: But Sensei, I can beat this guy!
Kreese: I don't want him beaten.
Bobby: But I'll be disqualified!
Kreese: [icily] Out of commission.

---

Kreese: What do we study here?
Karate Class: THE WAY OF THE FIST SIR.
Kreese: And what is that way?
Karate Class: STRIKE FIRST. STRIKE HARD. NO MERCY SIR.
Kreese: I can't hear you.
Karate Class: STRIKE FIRST. STRIKE HARD. NO MERCY SIR.

---

Miyagi: Wax on... wax off. Wax on... wax off.

---

Miyagi: First, wash all car. Then wax. Wax on...
Daniel: Hey, why do I have to...?
Miyagi: Ah ah! Remember deal! No questions!
Daniel: Yeah, but...
Miyagi: Hai!
[makes circular gestures with each hand]
Miyagi: Wax on, right hand. Wax off, left hand. Wax on, wax off. Breathe in through nose, out the mouth. Wax on, wax off. Don't forget to breathe, very important.
[walks away, still making circular motions with hands]
Miyagi: Wax on, wax off. Wax on, wax off.

---

Miyagi: Go, find balance.
[chuckles]
Daniel: [starts to drive away]
Miyagi: Banzai, Daniel-san.
Daniel: Hey, banzai!
Miyagi: [beat; then, louder] Banzai!
Daniel: [louder] Banzai!
Miyagi: [shouts] Banzai!
Daniel: [shouts back] Banzai!

---

Miyagi: [teaching Daniel to punch, wearing a catcher's mask and pads] Secret to punch, make power of whole body fit inside one inch, here.
[points to Daniel's closed fist]
Miyagi: Power, whole body, one inch, here. Now, punch. Hard.
Daniel: [punches Miyagi in the chest... weakly]
Miyagi: What'sa matter, you some kind of girl or something?
[makes punching gesture]
Miyagi: Punch! Drive a punch! Not just arm, whole body! Hip, leg, drive a punch! Make "kiai." Kiai! Give you power. Now, drive punch.
Daniel: [punching Miyagi harder] Kiai!
Miyagi: Once more.
Daniel: [punches again, even harder] Kiai!
Miyagi: Very good, Daniel-san!
Daniel: [starts hopping around a bit] Pretty good, eh? Look at this!
[mockingly punches Miyagi while continuing to bunny-hop]
Miyagi: [trying to stop him] Hai! Wait! Hai! Wait, Daniel-san!
Daniel: [dancing around very quickly and still playfully punching Miyagi] What do you think, Mr. Miyagi?
Miyagi: [knocks Daniel down] I tell you what Miyagi think! I think you *dance around* too much! I think you *talk* too much! I think you not concentrate enough! Lots of work to be done! Tournament just around corner!

---

Miyagi: [Daniel has just gotten his driver's license and Miyagi has given him a car for his birthday] Just remember, license never replace eye, ear, and brain.
[notices Daniel has suddenly gotten quiet]
Miyagi: What matter?
Daniel: I'm just scared. The tournament and everything.
Miyagi: You remember lesson about balance?
Daniel: Yeah.
Miyagi: Lesson not just karate only. Lesson for whole life. Whole life have a balance. Everything be better. Understand?

---

Miyagi: [repeated line to Daniel] Look eye!, always look eye!

---

[Daniel, Miyagi and Ali are trying to get onto the tournament floor together]
Official: Hold it!
Official: [to Ali] Sorry, teachers and students only.
Daniel: Oh, well, uh... he doesn't speak English and, uh, I can't understand his instructions without her. She's his, uh, translator.
Miyagi: [says something in Japanese]
Official: What did he say?
Ali: He says that, uh, you remind him of an uncle he has in Tokyo.
Official: [smiles] I guess it's okay.
Miyagi: [says something in Japanese]
Official: What?
Ali: He says you're very kind.
Official: Thank you.
Miyagi: Welcome.

---

Miyagi: [Daniel is practicing karate moves while balancing on a fishing boat as Miyagi fishes] Make block. Left, right. Up, down. Side, side. Breathe in, breathe out. And no scare fish.

---

Miyagi: [on Daniel's birthday, after having already given him a present] Go outside. Something show you.
Daniel: What?
Miyagi: Number two present.
[leads Daniel outside]
Daniel: [walking and talking] Number two present? You don't have to give me anything. You've given me enough already.
[Miyagi keeps walking, silently]
Daniel: No really, I'm serious.
Miyagi: [stops and points to his fleet of antique cars] Choose.
Daniel: [surprised and hesitant] Oh, no...
Miyagi: Hai! Hurt old man feeling.
[points again]
Miyagi: Choose.

---

Daniel: When do I learn how to punch?
Miyagi: Better learn balance. Balance is key. Balance good, karate good. Everything good. Balance bad, better pack up, go home. Understand?

---

[just before Johnny fights Daniel in the tournament]
Kreese: Sweep the leg.
[Johnny stares at him in shock]
Kreese: Do you have a problem with that?
Johnny Lawrence: No, Sensei.
Kreese: No mercy.

---

[Daniel is riding across a steep hill on his bike at night - suddenly he is accosted by Johnny, Tommy, Bobby, Dutch and Jimmy on their motorcycles]
Dutch: Looking for a shortcut back to Newark, Daniel?
Tommy: I THINK he wants to learn KARATE! Right?
Johnny Lawrence: Yeah! Okay, here's your first lesson: how to take a FALL!
[He sideswipes Daniel, knocking him over the edge and down the embankment. Daniel just lies there]

---

Kreese: [at the Cobra Kai dojo] Class, we have visitors. Fall in behind me. Hai!
[approaches Daniel and Miyagi, then speaks to Miyagi]
Kreese: I hear you jumped some of my students last night.
Miyagi: Afraid facts mixed up.
Kreese: You calling Mr. Lawrence a liar?
Miyagi: No call no one nothing.
Kreese: What are you here for, old man?
Miyagi: Come ask leave boy alone.
Kreese: What's the matter, the boy can't take care of his own problems?
Miyagi: One to one problem, yes. FIVE to one problem, too much ask anyone.
Kreese: Is that what's bothering you? The odds? Well, we can fix that. Feel like matching, Mr. Lawrence?
Johnny Lawrence: Yes, sensei!
Miyagi: No more fighting.
Kreese: This is a karate dojo, not a knitting class. You don't come into my dojo, drop a challenge and leave, old man. Now you get your boy on the mat, or you and I will have a major problem.
Miyagi: Too much advantage. Your dojo.
Kreese: Name a place.
Miyagi: Tournament.
Kreese: [laughs] You've got real nerve, old man. Real nerve. But I think we can accomodate you. Can't we, Mr. Lawrence?
Johnny Lawrence: Yes, sensei.
Kreese: Fall in.
[Johnny turns and leaves]
Miyagi: Ask one more small request.
Kreese: Make it fast.
Miyagi: Ask leave boy alone to train.
Kreese: You're a pushy little bastard, ain't ya? But I like that. I like that! All right. No one touches the prima donna until the tournament. Is that understood?
[class responds with "YES SENSEI!"]
Kreese: But if you don't show, it's open season on him... and you.
[they nod at each other]

---

Miyagi: [Daniel walks into Mr.Myagi's house and sits right next to Mr.Myagi, who is actually drunk] Ah, Daniel-san, come inside! Come inside!

---

Daniel: [as his mom walks away, Daniel still keeps talking to himself about Ali] ... She's pretty cute... I think she's pretty cute...

---

Daniel: [seeing the giant water slide at the amusement area] Whoa, look at that slide.
Ali: Oh yeah, we'll do that next time.
Daniel: Why next time?
Ali: Because we didn't bring a bathing suit!

---

Miyagi: [Miyagi returns from fishing as Daniel is painting the house] Oh, miss spot.
Daniel: What spot? Hey, how come you didn't tell me you were goin' fishing?
Miyagi: You not here when I go.
Daniel: Well, maybe I wanted to go, you ever think of that?
Miyagi: You karate training.
Daniel: I'm *what*? I'm bein' your goddamn *slave* is what I'm bein' here man, now c'mon we made a deal here!
Miyagi: So?
Daniel: So? So, you're supposed to teach and I'm supposed to learn! For 4 days I've been bustin' my ass, and haven't learned a goddamn thing!
Miyagi: You learn plenty.
Daniel: I learn plenty, yeah, I learned how to sand your decks maybe. I washed your car, paint your house, paint your fence. I learn plenty!
Miyagi: Ah, not everything is as seems...
Daniel: Oh, bullshit! I'm goin' home, man!
[Daniel turns to walk away]
Miyagi: Daniel-san! Daniel-san!
Daniel: What?
Miyagi: Come here.

---

Lucille Larusso: [singing] California, here we come. California... oh, what's the matter, Daniel? Don't you like my singing?
Daniel: I don't like the song, Mom.

---

Daniel: You're the best friend I've ever had.
Miyagi: You... pretty okay, too.

---

Tommy: Must be take a worm for a walk week.

---

Miyagi: Oh, Daniel-san! You all wet behind ear!

---

Miyagi: [drunk] Banzai!
Daniel: [totally confused] To baby trees.
Miyagi: Not bonsai, BANZAI!

---

Tommy: Get him a body bag! Yeah!

---

Dutch: [Daniel is dressing into his gi when the Cobra gang walks into the locker room] Well, well, well, if it isn't our little friend Danielle. What's the matter? Your mommy isn't here to dress you?
[Daniel ignores him]
Dutch: Hey, I'm talking to you punk!
[Dutch shoves Daniel and Daniel puts his guard up]
Dutch: Come on, make a move! Come on! Right now!
Referee: [coming in] Hey! Save it for the fight! Now get out!
Dutch: [to Daniel] Points or no points, you're dead meat.
Referee: I said out!

---

Daniel: No offense, Mr. Miyaji, but I don't think you understand my problem...
Miyagi: [interrupting] Mi... ya... *gi* understand problem perfect.

---

Daniel: What's the matter? The truth hurt?
Ali Mills: So you really think that's it?
Daniel: I know it is.
Ali Mills: Yeah well, you're wrong.
Daniel: Oh, you bet I'm wrong.
Ali Mills: You know Daniel, I didn't go out with you because of a car or where you live.
Daniel: Okay, since we're on the subject, why did you?
[silence]
Daniel: Huh? Why did you?
Ali Mills: I thought maybe you and me we're different.
Daniel: Oh yeah, I'm from Reseda, you're from the hills, that's how we're different.
Ali Mills: Oh, shut up.
Daniel: Admit that you just can't handle the situation the way it is.
Ali Mills: You know I can handle it fine. But you can't.
[exits]
Susan: What makes you so sensitive? She's never been anything but nice to you.
Daniel: Yeah she even used to me to make what's-his-name jealous.
Susan: She doesn't even like what's-his-name!
Daniel: Yeah I couldn't really tell, by the way their faces we're stuck together at that country club.
Susan: Oh, that's right. You didn't stick around for the um... exciting conclusion.
Daniel: Oh what was that? His hand on her ass?
Susan: Her right hook, you think she sprained her wrists doing her nails?
Daniel: She hit him?
Susan: An understatement.
Daniel: I don't get it, why didn't she say something?
Susan: She shouldn't have to? Should she?
[walks away]

---

Johnny Lawrence: [Johnny approaches Daniel at school, and gives him an application for the All-Valley Tournament] Here. You'll need to fill this out and send it in, okay? Just so they'll know where to claim the body.
Daniel: Let me ask you something... We both know you can stomp me, so why rub it in?
Johnny Lawrence: [shrugs] Maybe I like to.
Daniel: Ever stop to ask yourself if maybe HE
[obviously referring to Kreese]
Daniel: might be wrong? At least, about some things?
[Johnny has to turn away and count to ten to keep himself from exploding]

---

Lucille Larusso: [slamming down the All-Valley Tournament application] This says I won't hold anybody responsible if you're injured. Are you nuts?
Daniel: Ma, I GOTTA do this.
Lucille Larusso: Do what? Get KILLED?
Daniel: No one gets hurt, Ma.
Lucille Larusso: So why do I have to sign this thing?
[she crumples it up and tosses it in the wastebasket, then spins on her heel and exits before Daniel can say more]
Lucille Larusso: Good night, Daniel.
[she turns out the light. Stealthily, Daniel rescues the application from the wastebasket and signs HER name to it]

---

Daniel: [practicing blocks in Mr. Miyagi's boat] When am I gonna learn how to punch?
Miyagi: Learn how punch, after you learn how keep dry!
[rocks boat, throwing Daniel into the water]

---

Ring Announcer: [Daniel has just scored the winning point with a kick to Johnny's chin, thus winning the championship... ring announcer prepares to present trophy] OUR NEW CHAMPION!
Johnny Lawrence: [with bloodied face taking trophy from ring announcer and presenting it himself to Daniel] You're all right, LaRusso! Good match!

---

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