The Princess Bride (1987)
There are two classic blunders: (1) Never get involved in a land war in Asia. (2) Never get into an argument with a Sicilian when death is on the line.
(HT: William Goldman)
Explanation
The Princess Bride is one of the defining pieces of culture in my life. While “The Chronicles of Narnia” might be my favorite collection of literature and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader my favorite book, the movie The Princess Bride has been part of my life for much longer.
This is why this quote has such a prominent place in my truths. I enjoy the book too, even the gritty satire of William Goldman’s own life intermixed within the supposed abridgement of a favorite book from his own childhood.
The Princess Bride is probably the single most quoted movie in my life, right up there but above various Star Wars movies, Spaceballs, Indiana Jones, and several others.
This quote, in particular, does not actually mean, to me, what it states. To me it represents an entire lesson on hubris. Vizzini is a comical jerk, a towering idiot, but a self-proclaimed genius. His portrayal by Wallace Shawn is perfection.
“Inconceivable!”
“You keep using that word. I don’t think it means what you think it means.”
Glorious.