Portia Quotes in Bicentennial Man (1999)

Andrew Martin: [Immediately following the death of "Little Miss"] Will every human being that I care for just... leave?

Portia: I'm afraid so...

Andrew Martin: That won't do.

[last lines]

Galatea: In the words of the great Andrew Martin, "One is happy to be of service".

Portia: [looking to Andrew] See you soon.

Portia: What's right for most people in most situations isn't right for everyone in every situation! Real morality lies in following one's own heart.

Portia: [after Andrews has died, as a man] Can you do me a favor... would you mind unplugging me? That's an order.

Andrew Martin: [stomach growls] What was that?

Portia: That's your stomach growling. You're hungry.

[flatulence]

Andrew Martin: Was that me?

Portia: Yes.

Andrew Martin: I thought it was you.

Portia: No, it wasn't me.

Andrew Martin: Really? Ooh. Do you do that?

Portia: Sometimes... but quieter than that.

Andrew Martin: I'll have to have Rupert make me a muffler.

Portia: I like you. I even understand you some of the time. But I'm not about to invest my emotions in a machine.

Portia: But if this really works between us? You and I will never be accepted. We can't be married or anything.

Portia: The quality of mercy is not strained, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed - it blesseth him that gives and him that takes. 'Tis mightiest in the mighty. It becomes the throned monarch better than his crown. His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, the attribute to awe and majesty wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings. But mercy is above this sceptred sway. It is enthroned in the heart of kings. It is an attribute to God himself and earthly power doth then show likest God's when mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, though justice be your plea, consider this. That in the course of justice, none of us should see salvation. We do pray for mercy and that same prayer doth teach us all to render the deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much to mitigate the justice of your plea,

Bassanio: Promise me life, and I'll confess the truth.

Portia: Well then, confess, and live.

Bassanio: 'Confess' and 'love' had been the very sum of my confession.

Portia: The quality of mercy is not strain'd, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath.

Portia: If doing were as easy as knowing what were good to do, chapels had been churches and poor men's cottages princes' palaces.

Bassanio: [confirming her love to him] Like one of two contending in a prize That thinks he has done well in people's eyes Hearing applause and universal shout Giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt As doubtful whether what I see be true Until confirmed, signed, ratified... by you .

Portia: You see me, lord Bassanio, where I stand, such as I am. Though for myself alone I would not be ambitious in my wish to wish myself much better, yet for you, I would be treble twenty times myself. A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times more rich, that only to stand high in your account, I might in virtues, beauties, livings, friends, exceed account. But the full sum of me is sum of something which, to term in gross, is an unlessoned girl, unschooled, unpractised. Happy in this, she is not yet so old that she may learn. Happier than this, she is not bred so dull that she may learn. Happiest of all, is that her gentle spirit commits itself to yours to be directed as by her governor, her lord, her king. This house, these servants, and this same myself are yours .

Doctor Copeland: [Hearing that his son-in-law's leg has been amputated] Must be something I can do.

Portia: I'll tell you what you're gonna do. They're sendin' Willie home as soon as he can travel. He's gonna need a lot of care, so we're gonna move him here.

Doctor Copeland: [Visibly distraught] Of course, yes.

Portia: [Bitterly] I'll cook and do the cleanin' and such... but all the time you'll know I'm hating you. I got a feelin' I'm gonna be a very good hater... and if I ain't, I can learn.

Portia: [Spoken to Willie in the barber shop in an attempt to embarrass her father] Father would do anything for you now... now when it's too late!

Willie: Portia, that ain't no way to talk to the Doc. We got to live together now.

Portia: [Sarcastically] Oh, yes, just a big happy family!

Doctor Copeland: [to Portia, humiliated and wanting to leave] You drive Willie home.

Portia: [Bitterly] Well, what's the matter, Father? Am I embarrassing you in front of your friend? Oh, you don't have to feel he's so much better than you - after all, you're pretty white yourself!