I generally think quotes are somewhat shallow in conveying meaning, that they’re over-used by people who can’t come up with their own ideas, and that they’re specific to the demesne of the quoter, but occasionally quotes really work.

For me, the perfect quote storm was brewed by a particular scene in Twin Peaks. Stay with me here. Albert Rosenfeld, the FBI forensics investigator who puts a new intense spin on “curmudgeonly,” is not only an awesome character because he’s a mean jerk, but also awesome because he’s not. The characters around him serve to distill his surreality into something sublime: Agent Cooper and his jawy, grinny mug; Sheriff Truman and his doofusy constancy. In a confrontational scene, Albert manages to sum up pretty much how I feel about the world.

In case you don’t feel like watching the clip, here’s Albert’s core bit:

While I will admit to a certain cynicism, the fact is that I am a naysayer and a hatchetman in the fight against violence. I pride myself in taking a punch and will gladly take another because I choose to live my life in the company of Gandhi and King. My concerns are global. I reject, absolutely, revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method, is love…I love you Sheriff Truman.”

Do you have something like this? A quote that transcended the drippy, chicken-soupy inspirational level and really smacked home with you? A moment in cinema history that defined your soul?