Griffith Quotes in Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I - The Egg of the King (2012)

Griffith: Why do men like to shed blood, you asked. You are right in saying that it is one of the facets we, men, possess. However, it is but a tool to obtain what our heart desires and keep it from harm's way. I believe it to be a double-edged blade.

Charlotte: What your heart desires... a lover? A knight's honor?

Griffith: Both are important, aren't they? Fighting and dying for love and honor is what a knight desires above all else. But for men there exists something even more important than that. You know of it, I believe.

Charlotte: More important?

Griffith: It is a dream formulated and fostered for your own sake. Men are entranced by their dreams regardless of birth, rank or social standing. The dream supports them. It makes them suffer and it breathes new life into them. And it kills them. Even after they've given up on it, it continues to smolder in their hearts. All men have a dream at least once in their lives. They imagine themselves being martyrs to the God their dream has become. Others live on powerlessly, birthed into the world. I could not endure such a life.

Bartlett: Gentlemen, no doubt you've heard the immortal words of our new commandant: devote your energies to things other than escape, and sit out the war as comfortably as possible.

Sedgwick: [derisively] Ha!

Bartlett: Well, that's exactly what we're going to do. We're going to devote our energies to sports and gardening, all the cultural pursuits as far as they're concerned. In fact, we're going to put the goons to sleep. Meanwhile, we dig. Now, even a superficial look at the compound shows us that Huts 104 and 5 are closest to the woods. The first tunnel goes out from 105, directly east under the vorlager, the cooler, and the wire.

Willie: But that's over three hundred feet, Roger!

Bartlett: Did you make a survey, Dennis?

Cavendish: Only a temporary one, sir. I make it just over three hundred and thirty-five feet.

Bartlett: Let me know when you've got an exact one. Willie, this time we'll dig straight down thirty feet before we go horizontal. That'll rule out any question of sound detection or probing.

Willie: All right, Roger. But did you say "the first tunnel"?

Bartlett: I did. There will be three. We'll call them Tom, Dick, and Harry. Tom, as I said, goes out directly east from 104. Dick goes north from the kitchen, and Harry goes out parallel to Tom from 105. If the goons find one, we'll move into the other.

MacDonald: How many men do you plan to take out, Roger?

Bartlett: Two hundred and fifty.

[Shocked stares]

Bartlett: There will be no half-measures this time, gentlemen. There will be identification papers and documents for everyone. And Griff, we'll need outfits for the lot.

Griffith: Two hundred and fifty?

Bartlett: Mostly civilian clothes.

Griffith: Yes, but, um... okay, Roger.

Bartlett: Mac. Maps, blankets, rations, compasses for all the walkers, and timetables for every train.

MacDonald: Right, Roger.

[Blythe enters]

Colin: Sorry I'm late, Roger.

Bartlett: It's all right, Colin. Sit down. We're going to tunnel.

Colin: Splendid.

Bartlett: Willie, you and Danny will be tunnel kings. Danny, you'll be in charge of traps, and I'll work out the exact location with you tomorrow.

Danny: Good.

Bartlett: Sedgwick, manufacturer. Griffith, I said, tailor. Nimmo and Hayes, diversions. Mac, of course, will take care of intelligence. Hendley? We haven't met. Scrounger?

[on some materials he's using for escape clothes]

Bartlett: Where in God's name did you get these?

Griffith: Hendley.

Bartlett: Well, where did he get them?

Griffith: Well, I asked him that.

Bartlett: What did he say?

Griffith: "Don't ask."

Griffith: I promised your mom I'd try to scare the crap out of you, 'cause she cuts me a deal on my Valtrex. But honestly, if I had to do it all over again, I'd fuckin' ride, man. I would ride the fuckin' bike every fuckin' day of my life. Okay? Okay? You feel me.

[fist bump]

Griffith: No regrets. No regrets. Except the herpes. That I would not do all over again. So put a hat on your bat. Okay?