Terry Silver quotes from Cobra Kai

Silver

You think I'm the only one who's willing to go to these lengths? Their senseis broke into my home tonight. My home! Attacked me, unprovoked! But here I am. The only man left standing. They think they're entitled to victory because their way is "right" and our way is "wrong." But that's not how it works. There are no morals to the story, no happy endings. Life isn't a fairy tale. It's a competitive sport. Right and wrong, there's no such thing. There are only winners... and losers. Cobra Kai builds winners, because we're willing to do whatever it takes to come out on top.

John Kreese

Nice view from up here. I guess you get what you pay for.

Terry Silver

Is that what you want, John? A check?

Kreese

I wanna finish what we started.

Silver

[scoffs] "Finish what we started". Just like we were supposed to do 35 years ago? Before you vanished?

Kreese

I was in a bad place. There's no question about that. But I'm back now, and you can be too.

Silver

Look around. I'm doing just fine.

Kreese

Are you? Because the Terry Silver that I knew would have roundhoused old Four-Eyes back there for calling Cobra Kai "adorable." Do you remember when we got back from 'Nam? We went through hell watching our friends die, only to be welcomed home by a bunch of hippies calling us killers. People needed to learn some respect, some discipline. That's why we started Cobra Kai. Together, we made a difference.

Silver

Yeah. We did.

Kreese

We can do it again. There's a whole new generation out there that can use what we know. The only thing standing in our way is Daniel LaRusso.

Silver

Danny boy?

Kreese

He's even teamed up with... Johnny Lawrence.

Silver

Wait, wait. Your champ and LaRusso working together?

Kreese

That's why I'm here. I need a partner. And the only other person who knows how to teach Cobra Kai is you. What do you say?

Silver

I say... no. Back in the '80s, I thought I could conquer the world. [reflects on how he trained and manipulated Daniel] And I came pretty damn close. I was so hopped up on cocaine and revenge I spent months terrorizing a teenager over a high school karate tournament. It sounds insane just talking about it. After that tournament, I hit rock bottom. But I built myself back up. [raises hands like getting things clear] Got my ass into therapy, found clarity. Turns out you disappearing was the best thing that ever happened to me.

Kreese

You know, people expect men of our age to pack it in and go off into the sunset. [chuckles] That might work for you... but I still have some fight left in me. Please thank Cheyenne for the tofu.

Silver

What? We don't have any students yet.

Kreese

We will. And this would be the perfect venue to show the whole world that our way is the right way. [sees Silver's glum face] What?

Silver

It's my father. He wants me to take over his company. [Kreese scoffs] He said if I don't, he's cutting me out of the inheritance.

Kreese

But what about the dojo? We... We were just about to open it.

Silver

You will. No, I can still pay my half of the rent. Even more. I just won't be able to be there.

Kreese

Yeah, but I can't do this without you. Terry, I can't do this without you. We started this together. We gotta see it through together.

Silver

Maybe someday. My father wants me to put all this karate and Vietnam behind me. But I don't know if I can ever go back to a normal life.

Kreese

Hey, remember, fear does not exist. You can get through anything. You know why? 'Cause you got me. I didn't leave you behind in the war and I'm not gonna leave you behind now. [offers hand] Cobra Kai?

Silver

Never dies. [the last two words ring hard in Silver's memory]

Tory

We still owe that Judas some payback.

Kreese

Everyone fall in. As you know, our enemies are working together. They are combining their styles to beat us. But they are destined to fail. Because there is only one way. And what is that way?

The Way of the Fist, sir!

Kreese

Exactly. However, that doesn't mean that we can't double down. Class, meet Sensei Terry Silver. [a man appears] Co-founder of Cobra Kai and one of the most ferocious fighters in the history of the sport. Together, we built Cobra Kai from the ground up, and now he is here to help you prepare for the All Valley. [they bow to each other]

Silver

Thank you, Sensei Kreese. It's an honor to be here.

Kreese

With two senseis, you will receive twice the instruction. That means twice the work. And if you are not prepared to put in 200%, then you can leave right now.

Silver

But if you dig in and follow our lead, we're gonna take you to the next level.

Terry Silver

Three things make a champion. The three D's.

Desire. Devotion.

Terry

and Discipline.

Discipline!

Terry Silver

The first two, I can't give you.

Desire! Devotion! Discipline!

Terry Silver

The last one, I can, but you have to be willing to receive it. Are you?

Yes, sensei!

Silver

[pops cork] 1998 Bollinger. Been sitting in my cellar for years, waiting for the right moment.

Kreese

Not unlike yourself.

Silver

Touché. I gotta give you credit, John. You reawakened something in me. Something I forgot was there. And I'll always be grateful for it.

Kreese

Told you. [toasts] To Cobra Kai.

Silver

The number-one dojo in the Valley. I gotta say, I'm surprised you backed off on Nichols in the finals. That's not like you.

Kreese

Well, what can I say? I had a moment of sympathy.

Silver

That's a first. You remember when you asked me what I thought your weakness was? It's Johnny Lawrence. That's what this was all about, right? It was never about us teaming up or bringing back the glory days. That was all bullshit.

Kreese

That's not true.

Silver

Yes it is. And I fell for it. You know why? Because everyone has a weakness, John. And mine is you.

Kreese

You think that I'm your weakness? Well, you've got it backwards, because I am your strength. I have been your strength ever since Vietnam.

Silver

Yes! There it is. I can always count on you playing the guilt card. How many times do you expect me to repay that debt before we're square?

Kreese

[they notice the police arriving; to Silver] What did you do?

It's okay, Raymond. The man who did this can't hurt you anymore. Give me his name and I promise you I'll put him away for a long, long time.

Stingray

[remembers beatdown at the hands of Silver, who made him a certain deal] His name is Sensei... Kreese. John Kreese. [detective leaves; Stingray has an attack of conscience; weakly mutters] Fuck!

Silver

I'm shedding my weakness, Captain.

John Kreese, you're under arrest for aggravated assault and attempted murder. You have the right to remain silent.

Silver

[feigned surprise] John, what did you do?

Hands behind your back. Come on. [Kreese shoves him off but elbows another officer] Hey!

Silver

John, take it easy. Don't worry about a thing. I'm sure I can dig up an old friend or two to help out with Cobra Kai while you deal with your legal problems.

Kreese

You're gonna regret this! I am Cobra Kai!

Put him in the car!

Silver

And don't worry about Lawrence. I'll take good care of him too.

Terry Silver

Today is a turning point at Cobra Kai. Our competition has closed up shop... and the Valley now looks to us to lead the way. We have a long road ahead. This is just the beginning. Right now, we're strangers. But I can tell you, we won't be strangers for long. This is the start of something special. For everyone else, it's summer vacation. But for us, the real work is about to begin. Cobra Kai now has more students than ever before. That means we'll need more senseis. I'm gonna ask you to do more than what's expected. Which means I'm going to pay more than what's expected. But first, you must prove yourself in the way of the fist. [addresses last man in the line] It's time to see if you're worthy.

Hai!

Silver

Welcome to Cobra Kai.

Terry Silver

[sees Tory Nichols come in with her trophy] Nichols. So you've made your decision. [referring to whether she would leave knowing the truth about her All-Valley victory]

Tory Nichols

I'm back. [places trophy on shelf] Where's everyone else?

Silver

No class today. There's some business I need to take care of. [Nichols leaves and passes Chozen coming in]

Chozen Toguchi

Am I early?

Silver

On the contrary. Right on time. Fall in! [the six other sensei recruited earlier appear] It seems you weren't entirely honest with me, were you, Chozen?

Chozen

How did you know?

Silver

Have you ever heard of a man, Masataka Taketsuru? About a hundred years ago, he moved from Hiroshima to Scotland. He studied organic chemistry. Then he returned to Japan with the secret of great whiskey. He built up his own distillery just outside of Kyoto. His brand, Suntory, the whiskey we drank last night, considered the best in the world. I've had the pleasure of drinking it right where it's made. And every time I raise a glass with one of my old friends from Kyoto, we toast kanpai. So imagine my surprise... when my new friend from Kyoto raises a glass, and says something they would only say in Okinawa. Karii.

Chozen

Karii. [the other senseis surround Chozen]

Silver

Anyone who takes this man down gets the job, and I will pay triple what I promised!

Chozen

Now we draw line. No more expansion. No more senseis. No challenge Miyagi-Do. Do not come near LaRusso family. You cross line, you will beg for mercy.

Daniel

[feels somebody just entered the sauna bath] Morning. Nothing like a good steam to start the day off right. [a phone voice rings in; its Daniel on voicemail] "I'm calling in regard to a former client of yours, Terry Silver. This is very urgent. Please give me a call back ASAP when you get this. Thank you." [beeps]

Terry Silver

[appears out of the steam holding the phone] I warned ya.

Daniel

What are you doing here?

Silver

Oh. You and I are gonna be seeing a lot more of each other. First, I'm gonna deal with my old friend. And then I'll deal with you. I told you not to play with fire. [leaves]

Terry Silver

There he is. The man himself. Joon-bee stance. [students stand at attention] An exemplar of everything Cobra Kai stands for. Loyalty. Discipline. Inner strength. After former Sensei Kreese's cowardly attack, most people would've crawled into a hole to hide. Not Stingray. He stood tall. Demanded justice. That's Cobra Kai. Let's give him the welcome he deserves. [everybody cheers] Nichols, take over class. I need a word with my guy here. [to Stingray] How's the new place? Settling in?

Stingray

Oh, yeah. Uh, yes, Sensei. Thank you. Nobody ever rented me an apartment before. I feel like a kept woman.

Silver

Not at all. I want my loyal soldier living in style. It's the least I could do in light of your sacrifice.

Stingray

Yeah.

Silver

And I tend to do more than the least. Got a little surprise for ya. [shows him a Dodge Challenger with Cobra Kai livery]

Stingray

Oh, whoa. Heavy! Sensei Lawrence, my ex-sensei, uh, used to, uh, have one just like it.

Silver

This was Sensei Lawrence's. My car guy found it at an impound auction. And now, [shows car keys] it's yours. Check the trunk.

Stingray

[opens trunk to reveal personalized Cobra Kai gi] Aw! That's... Dude, that's so cool.

Tory Nichols

What are you doing here? I thought you quit.

You beat me on the mat, but I only lose if I give up.

Terry Silver

[approaches with Kim Da-eun] Miss Lee, why don't you go check in with the receptionist. She'll set you up with a pass in case you want to train after hours.

Oh. [looks at Tory] I definitely will. [walks off]

Silver

I have to hand it to you. Miss Lee reached out after class yesterday, asked if she could join the flagship dojo. Apparently, she wants to learn more from you. I'm very proud of you.

Tory

She failed the test. She ran away.

Kim Da-eun

The test was not for her. It was for you. I wanted to see how much strength you had in your heart to accomplish what you need to do.

Tory

And what's that?

Da-eun

Something greater than you could ever imagine.

Terry Silver

Kenny, Kenny, Kenny... Sit down. Your father, he's in the army, right? I bet he's a strong leader. Someone you listen to. What happened after he was deployed? Who filled that role?

Kenny Payne

My brother was the leader of the house until...

Silver

Right, right. The one in juvie. And after he went in, who did you follow?

Kenny

Robby Keene.

Silver

And now you're following Mr. Park.

Kenny

Isn't that the point of the exercise?

Silver

I spent a lot of my life listening to others. My father. My captain. My best friend.

Kenny

Sensei Kreese.

Silver

Yes. But it was only after I listened to my own instincts that I reached my potential. I've seen the best fighters in the Valley. Keene. Moskowitz. Diaz. I believe you have more potential than any of 'em. If you're ready to be a leader.

Kenny

Okay. Look, I hear you. Okay? But the exercise... You said Kyler was the leader.

Silver

Did I? Or did you assume that?

Kenny

So what do you want me to do?

Silver

I want you to stop asking me or anyone else that question.

Kim Da-eun

I agreed to train your students under the condition you would pave the way for my family's teachings to emerge from the shadows. And yet, your petty rivalry is standing in the way.

Terry Silver

I have no rivalry with them. They're beaten. This is a last, desperate gasp of breath.

Da-eun

Then we must suffocate them. I will continue to train your students so they are fully prepared. And might I suggest next time, you are prepared too.

Tory

What is this?

Kim Da-eun

This is your enemy. Destroy it.

Tory

[notices plates] It's solid stone. I'll break my hand.

Da-eun

It will heal in time for the tournament.

Tory

This is crazy. I'm going home. [the three senseis who brought the figure block her]

Kim

You will go home when the lesson is over. [Tory starts punching the face plate and her fist hurts] Not hard enough. To break it, you must use all your power. [mocks with each punch] Are you even trying? [Tory repeatedly tries] Something is holding you back.

Tory

I-I can't do it.

Da-eun

It's the boy, isn't it? [Tory gasps] You act strong, but inside you're soft.

Tory

That's not true!

Da-eun

Your feelings have made you weak.

Tory

No!

Da-eun

[directly faces her] You care more about this boy than your own dojo!

Tory

I broke up with him because of this dojo, you bitch! [tries to hit Da-eun, who steps aside and Tory powerfully breaks the face plate to enormous pain]

Terry Silver

That must have been a hard decision. But you made the right choice. Let's hope you keep making them. [walks away]

Da-eun

[looks down at her] Lesson over.

Kim Da-Eun

You promised to make my grandfather's dream a reality. To bring his karate to the world. And by gaining acceptance into the Sekai Taikai, you're on the verge of fulfilling that promise. And yet your rivalries here remain a concern.

Silver

I share your concern, but I'm not worried. We'll send them a message well before the tournament.

Da-Eun

And the content of this message?

Silver

Stay the fuck out of our way, or someone will get hurt.