Herman Blume Quotes in Rushmore (1998)

Herman Blume: You guys have it real easy. I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.

Herman Blume: What's the secret, Max?

Max Fischer: The secret?

Herman Blume: Yeah, you seem to have it pretty figured out.

Max Fischer: The secret, I don't know... I guess you've just gotta find something you love to do and then... do it for the rest of your life. For me, it's going to Rushmore.

Herman Blume: She's my Rushmore.

Max Fischer: I know. She was mine too.

Herman Blume: Mmm, I'm a little bit lonely these days

Herman Blume: What's his name again?

Dr. Nelson Guggenheim: Max Fischer.

Herman Blume: Sharp little guy.

Dr. Nelson Guggenheim: He's one of the worst students we've got.

Max Fischer: So you were in Vietnam?

Herman Blume: Yeah.

Max Fischer: Were you in the shit?

Herman Blume: Yeah, I was in the shit.

Herman Blume: Take it easy, Max.

Rosemary Cross: You were the one that ordered him a whiskey and soda.

Max Fischer: So what's wrong with that? I can write a hit play. Why can't I have a little drink to unwind myself?

[Describing Max to the police]

Herman Blume: 112 pounds. Black hair. Glasses... Oval face.

Herman Blume: Why did you ask me to come here?

Max Fischer: Oh, I was going to drop that tree on you.

Herman Blume: That big one?

Max Fischer: Yeah.

Herman Blume: It would've flattened me like a pancake.

Ernie: What kind of fish?

Max Fischer: Barracuda, stingrays, electric eels, trout, hammerheads, piranha, giant squid, octopi...

Herman Blume: Piranhas? Really?

Max Fischer: Yes, I'm talking to a guy in South America.

Herman Blume: Never in my wildest imagination did I ever dream I would have sons like these.

Herman Blume: She's sweet, but she's fucked-up.

Herman Blume: [on Max's offering a small box] What's this?

[Herman opens it and looks]

Max Fischer: That's the Perfect Attendance Award and the Punctuality Award. I got those at Rushmore. I thought you could choose which one you like more, and you could wear one and I could wear the other.

Herman Blume: [after gravely considering both the proffered olive branch and the choice] I'll take Punctuality.

Max Fischer: [smiles] Okay.

Max Fischer: How the hell did you get so rich? You're a quitter, man!

Herman Blume: I spent eight million dollars on this.

Max Fischer: And is that all you're willing to spend?

Herman Blume: [to Max] She's in love with a dead guy anyway.

Herman Blume: Come work for me.

Max Fischer: What do you mean?

Herman Blume: I mean I-I could use someone like you.

Max Fischer: Look, I may not be rich, Mr. Blume, my father may only be a doctor, but we manage.

Herman Blume: So you've changed your mind and you want the job.

Max Fischer: No, I've got an idea and I need some money.

Herman Blume: What does Guggenheim say?

Max Fischer: Nothing. I felt I should go to you first.

Herman Blume: Why?

Max Fischer: Because at this moment I feel our best strategy is to keep a low profile. The more preparation I can do, the stronger our case will be when we go to the administration.

Herman Blume: How much do you want?

Max Fischer: $35.000 for the initial plans.

Herman Blume: I'll give you $2500.

Herman Blume: You guys have it real easy. I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything, but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.

Rosemary Cross: I'm just having a little snack

Herman Blume: What'd you got there... carrots?

Herman Blume: Indefinitely. I'm being sued for divorce.

Concierge: Very good sir.

Max Fischer: How much are you worth, by the way?

Herman Blume: I don't know.

Max Fischer: Over ten million?

Herman Blume: Yeah, I guess so.

Max Fischer: Good, good.

Herman Blume: Why?

Max Fischer: Cause we're gonna need all of it.

Architect: Mr. Blume, how are Ronny and Donny enjoying military school?

Herman Blume: They love it.

Magnus Buchan: Lucky bastards.

Herman Blume: Kids don't like it when their parents get divorced.

Rosemary Cross: So, what do you think of Max's latest opus?

Herman Blume: It's good. But, let's hope its got a happy ending.