Atlas (1961)

Frank Wolff: Proximates the Tyrant

Quotes 

• Proximates the Tyrant : Don't fence with me, wrestler. I can have your entrails on the sand at the snap of a finger.

  Atlas : Start snapping.

• Proximates the Tyrant : The Inthans have attacked the Spartans and Zeus is milking goats in Persia.

  Candia : Oh, that I'd heard. There's also rumors of a marriage between Socrates and Sappho.

  Garnis : Oh did you hear the Titans have returned to Earth and are studying philosophy?

• Proximates the Tyrant : Oh, here he comes now. Now Candia, I want you to cultivate him a little.

  Candia : Suppose I cultivate him too much?

  Proximates the Tyrant : Then I'll have you boiled in oil.

• Proximates the Tyrant : Are you nervous?

  Candia : Do you think I enjoy being a public curiosity?

  Proximates the Tyrant : Relax and enjoy it.

  Garnis : Who knows? We may be starting a new fad.

• Garnis : A philosopher should never be allowed to feel too sure of himself. He's liable to stop talking and begin actively meddling.

  Atlas : And what is your philosophy?

  Garnis : Well, I believe that it's the duty of all thoughtful, reasonable men to make themselves as comfortable as possible.

  Candia : That would take away all the fun.

  Proximates the Tyrant : Well, that depends on your definition of fun and comfort. Now to some men, war is comfortable, because it's the only thing they can do well.

• Proximates the Tyrant : Remember, there's no firm line between creation and destruction. One cannot survive without the other.

• Proximates the Tyrant : Hellas is filled with ruins. Some date back hundreds of years, to the very beginning of time.

• Proximates the Tyrant : Oh Candia, entertain Atlas as best you can until I get back.

  [exits] 

  Candia : Of course I can't entertain you as best I can. Not with all these people around.

  Atlas : Did that provocative remark come naturally to you? Or were you ordered to work on me?

  Candia : Neither. We're so used to trying to shock one another, that we usually sow the unexpected.

• Proximates the Tyrant : Today I killed men, why? So their widows could weep? No, so that the wives of my own men could sleep quietly tonight.

• Proximates the Tyrant : You're really quite taken with him, aren't you?

  Candia : What do you mean, "taken with him"?

  Proximates the Tyrant : You know very well what I mean! Well, it's nice to see stars in your eyes again, though I wish they were for me.

  Candia : So you could snuff them out again?

  Proximates the Tyrant : You know I worship the air you breathe.

  Candia : Only if you breathed it before me.

  Proximates the Tyrant : Ah, what overpowering flattery. May I have a little kiss?

  Candia : Since you own everything, including my soul, do what you want.

• Proximates the Tyrant : Atlas, be glad that you're not a tyrant. You have nothing to do, but wander the earth and search for the truth. You think you'll find it?

  Atlas : I don't know, maybe the truth is in the searching.

• Proximates the Tyrant : Look at those columns. What strength it must take to stand against the wind and the rain and the thunder of Zeus.

• Proximates the Tyrant : Look, why don't we have a banquet to celebrate? We'll invite the public officials and the women.

  King Telektos : Women? Do you want our women?

  Proximates the Tyrant : Oh you old goat, you're way behind the times. In Cyronikos, the women have been emancipated for years.

• Proximates the Tyrant : Oh, by Zeus what a dull party. We're not here celebrating a victory. We're here celebrating the predestined union of two great states. Thenos is now free to develop right along with Cyronikos. There's plenty of wine, so drink up, and bring on the dancing girls!

• Proximates the Tyrant : You know, with good luck and the women willing, this may end up as a good old fashioned orgy.

• Proximates the Tyrant : Let us hear prophecies. Telektos, what do you see in the future for Thenos?

  King Telektos : I'm too overwhelmed by the present.

• Garnis : The archon is not guilty.

  Proximates the Tyrant : Can you prove that he is not?

  Garnis : I will endeavor to prove that you cannot prove that he is.

• Proximates the Tyrant : Your treacherous acts tonight surpassed all. Because of your mad bloodlust for power, the streets of Thenos ran red with blood!

• Garnis : I want her.

  Proximates the Tyrant : Then take her.

  Garnis : What about Indros?

  Proximates the Tyrant : Take him, too.

• Proximates the Tyrant : Anarchy! Insurrection! Call out the palace guard!

• Proximates the Tyrant : Bring in the Generals! You'd think in this day and age, they'd have developed Generals with brains!

• Proximates the Tyrant : Where is everybody?

  Garnis : Just run in from Marathon?

  Proximates the Tyrant : Funny, funny, very funny!

• Proximates the Tyrant : Tell me the truth.

  Garnis : I've been with you too long. I've forgotten the truth.