— You have some skill with a blade.
— Women of this country learned long ago: those without swords can still die upon them. I fear neither death nor pain.
— What do you fear, my lady?
— A cage. To stay behind bars until use and old age accept them. And all chance of valor has gone beyond recall or desire.
— You are a daughter of kings... A shieldmaiden of Rohan. I do not think that will be your fate.
You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold, daring.
Nature loves courage. You make the commitment and nature will respond to that commitment by removing impossible obstacles. Dream the impossible dream and the world will not grind you under, it will lift you up. This is the trick. This is what all these teachers and philosophers who really counted, who really touched the alchemical gold, this is what they understood. This is the shamanic dance in the waterfall. This is how magic is done. By hurling yourself into the abyss and discovering its a feather bed.
The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.
My grandpa always said there's no finer people. Their hearts are washed clean by both sea and sky. So they're braver than sailors and prouder than regular pilots. <...> The most precious thing to them isn't money or women, it's honor. <...> Haven't you any shame?! You need an American to come and save you? Your mothers would weep! And tell you to take a bath! Porco's come back to go one-on-one with Curtiss. For the honor of the seaplane pilots of the Adriatic! A man without honor or scruples is nothing! Fight fair!