Eric quotes from 7th Heaven

Lucy

I can't believe I spent the whole day hanging out with a teenager who has a crush on me. And I really can't believe that he actually made me feel better.

Eric

You never know where help is gonna come from.

What happened to you?

Eric

I'm just having a bad day.

Eric

[to Sam & David] So, starting today, we are going to have school right here at home.

Sam

Is that legal?

Lots of women fall in love with married men.

Eric

Yeah, lots of women do and it's always a mistake.

It can't always be a mistake.

Eric

Yes, it can. You know, I don't say never or always very often, but I'm saying always here because it's true. It is always a mistake.

Still, it happens.

Eric

It doesn't happen here.

Eric

You can think of how you want to feel and act as if you actually feel that way, and you will feel that way. You can decide that your feelings are completely inappropriate and choose some other feelings.

What if I don't want to choose? What if I want to feel what I feel? What if I want to follow my heart?

Eric

What if you let your mind lead what you want your heart to follow? And what if you choose good things for yourself? What if you even love yourself?

Hey, what if you love me?

Eric

But I don't. I don't love you, Ms. Margo. I don't want to love you.

Could you choose to love me?

Eric

(long pause) I could...but I'm not going to. Why would I? I love my wife. I love my children. I love my grandchildren. I even love myself.

Eric

Ruthie, I just.....I really want you home right now.

Ruthie

But don't you think that's kind of.....selfish?

Eric

I beg your pardon?

Ruthie

Dad, you've been living with heart problems for years now, and you're probably going to spend the rest of your life living with heart problems. That doesn't mean I have to come home and watch you have heart problems, does it?

Eric

Uh, no, I guess not, but on the other hand, I really want you to come home. I need you to come home, and the entire family needs you to come home, and I'm afraid that as a parent, I'm going to make a decision for you that you're not going to be happy with. You're coming home, Ruthie. You're coming home with me and your mom. Life isn't always about you. Sometimes it's about other people or sometimes even about your parents and your family. I need my family around me right now. And I don't care if you think that's selfish. Fine, I'm selfish. I get to be selfish. I'm the one who's in need right now, and I need you home. I could leave this decision up to you, but you're 16, and....I'm afraid you might really regret it later, so I'll decide for you.

Ruthie

You really think you can decide for me?

Eric

If you can't make the right decision yourself, then yeah. Yes, I can.

Are you ever coming back?

Eric

I don't know that, either.

But what about everything here? Your home, your things?

Eric

Oh. You know, I've lost my enthusiasm for "things", so......I don't really care.