TV QuotesDatabase
35 QUOTES

A character in Daredevil: Born Again

Matt Murdock quotes from Daredevil: Born Again

Played by Charlie Cox · 35 quotes · page 1 of 3

Matt Murdock

Most-quoted character in Daredevil: Born Again: in 35 of its 87 quotes
Most scenes with: Karen Page (5), Heather Glenn (5), Wilson Fisk (4)

Lines by Matt Murdock 5

Matt

As you know, I've stood in this court many times. Delivered summations, called witnesses, defended the innocent to the best of my ability. Although as I sit here on the other side of the court, it occurs to me that justice will not be served today. It won't be served because, whatever sentence is passed, Foggy Nelson -- only his mother called him Franklin -- will still be dead. It won't be served beca--

[Matt hears Karen walk in. Pauses.]

Matt

Apologies, Your Honor. It won't be served because I-I don't get to see him again. We don't get to see Foggy again, today. Or tomorrow, or ever. Because my friend is dead. Killed on the whim of a violent and disturbed man. A self-styled assassin with a grudge, out to murder his perceived enemies. But, in the absence of justice, the court can punish this man. And I urge you to do so, to the fullest extent that the law allows. Because that punishment, that is the closest that any of us will ever get to justice.

Matt

You ever feel like you're, uh, pushing a rock up a hill? And there's a bunch of people on the other side pushing it back?

Matt

I can't see my city. But I can feel it. The system isn't working. And it's rotten. Corrupt. But this is our city. Not his. And we can take it back, together. The weak... The strong... All of us... Resist. Rebel. Rebuild. Because we are the city. Without fear.

Scenes with Matt Murdock 30

This Hell's Kitchen nostalgia is running pretty thin with you guys, you realize that, right?

Not nostalgia; reverence for the past, yet hope for the future.

Oh, that is some next-level closing argument BS right there!

Too much?

Matt Murdock

Nostalgia or not, it's hard to believe Cherry's retiring.

So many retiring, leaving -- I mean, it's thirty percent of the force in the last two years.

Are those numbers legit?

My numbers are always legit.

Matt

I really wouldn't argue with her. Still, the city finds other ways to protect itself.

Matt

I refuse to believe a tragedy had to destroy everything.

But it did. What are you gonna do about Daredevil?

Matt

I made a promise to myself that I would let the system handle it. All of it. Besides, I'm not him anymore, and I won't let myself be.

And you think that that will help?

Matt

I don't know. It doesn't make it worse.

Matt

If I didn't know better -- know him better -- I'd say he sounds sincere. Like maybe he wants to do something for this city.

Look who you're talking about! The man crushes every--

Matt

I know. I know! You think I don't know? I know. Well, if this city actually elects him, then... maybe New York's getting the mayor it deserves.

You ask me, that's pretty goddamn cynical, Matt.

Matt

Mm-hm. Or maybe I'm just wising up.

Matt

You're a real man of the people now.

A rich man, by his very nature, is self-serving. A-A mayor, a mayor serves his city.

Matt

Ah.

You don't seem entirely convinced.

Matt

Could you blame me? Considering you've tried to kill me a few times over the years...

As you have.

Matt

No, no. Incarcerate, maybe. Kill? Never.

I wonder if your darker half would agree.

Matt

That part of my life is over.

Mm. Well, tragedy can transform a man. About your friend -- I had nothing to do with his death, I kept that promise.

Matt

Hm. But now the Kingpin is back.

No. No, he's not. My time away, I... Well... Well, let's say I followed a road less-traveled. And at its end, I found a new man.

Matt

The mayor of New York.

Mm, soon.

I was told you tried to kill Benjamin Poindexter that night. It's hard... it's hard to come to terms with a violent nature. Hating the power it has over us.

Matt

I was raised to believe in grace. That we can be touched by the divine and transformed into a better person. So if you say to me that you're a new man, I say "fine". But you should also know I was raised to believe in retribution. So if you step out of line, I will be there.

This caution that you're giving me, who's it from? Matt Murdock, or...? You liked being on that rooftop with Dex. You liked how it felt, didn't you? Giving no quarter, dispensing justice...

Matt

Just stay in your lane. I'll do the same.

I'm going to be mayor of this town. And when I am, I will not tolerate people running around in silly costumes. The rule of law will prevail. And should you go back to any of your old activities, there will be consequences.

Matt

Well, then. It appears we really do understand each other.

Mm, I love a man who rises above his nature. Good luck with that, Murdock.

Matt

Good day, sir.

Matt

Officer Powell, good morning. I'm told you have a black eye. I hope everything is okay.

Yeah, don't worry about it.

Matt

You know, there's thing they say in boxing: The, uh, the best cure for a black eye is fast hands.

DADistrict Attorney Hochberg

Objection!

JCJudge Cooper

Sustained. Come on, Mr. Murdock.

[Hector is testifying.]

Matt

You decided to risk your own safety to help a stranger. Wasn't the first time, was it?

I-- I don't understand.

Matt

Well, I'm just saying you put yourself in harm's way before. Many times. The question is, why?

Because he was in trouble.

Matt

You intervened that night 'cause you're a hero.

[realizing] Matt, don't do this.

[Matt retrieves something from an open leather bag.]

Matt, don't do this--!

[He pulls out the White Tiger mask and displays it before the court.]

Matt

Mr. Ayala, yes or no, are you the vigilante known as the White Tiger?

I don't think you understand. Being the White Tiger is more than just putting on a suit. It's who I am. It's a calling. I didn't choose it, it chose me. You might as well ask me to stop breathing.

Matt

There are other ways to help. Other ways to contribute. Ways that don't require a mask. You have to think about your family now. They need you. And for what it's worth, I think you might be surprised at how much you don't miss... being him.

Matt

Mr. Ayala, let's talk about Mr. and Mrs. Burgos. Why would you risk your life by running toward a burning car to save strangers?

It's the right thing to do.

Matt

What about Gianna Moreno? You again put yourself in harm's way. Why?

...It's the right thing to do.

Matt

And when you saw Officer Barlow was in trouble, you ran in when other's would've run out. Why?

It's the right thing to do.

Matt

The police said that Hector attacked them, that he came out of nowhere. That's what they said. But why would Hector, the White Tiger... Why would he do this without the amulet that gives him extraordinary strength and power? Would any of you walk into battle with one arm tied behind your back? I wouldn't. Every night, Hector Ayala goes out and risks his life to keep his neighborhood safe, to protect his community. So ask yourselves... does this sound like the type of man who would murder a police officer in cold blood? He is a man of integrity. The community says so... The police say so. The mask doesn't make the man. And whether Hector Ayala's wearing the White Tiger suit or not, he's a hero. Thank you.

[Murdock takes his seat. Hochberg stands.]

HHochberg

Yeah, you know, every morning, I get up, I kiss my wife, I call my kids. I go to work to serve the people of this great city, I go to church every Sunday, I sit in my usual pew, I give money to my parish, then I drive out to Queens to see my mother. Does that make me a "good" person? That was a trick question. See, frankly, it's a false premise. Good people can do bad things, bad people can do good things. Humans, all of us, we're-- we're... messy, complicated! Capable of good, capable of evil. Yes, Hector Ayala might have done some good things. Does that make him incapable of doing a bad thing? Of course not. Do you know what happens to a person when they get hit by a train? When you have 200,000 pounds of steel slam into you? All of your bones break, all of your organs are eviscerated, your body twists up like a circus balloon full of blood. But here's the kicker, you're still alive. You don't actually die until they back the train up and then your body, it just bursts. And that is exactly what happened to Officer Shanahan when Hector Ayala pushed him in front of that train. But we're supposed to be okay with that, right? Because he's done some nice things for people. Because it was the "right thing to do". Look around you. These men and women you see sitting here, they're officers of the law. They took an oath to protect, even in the face of danger. And every single day, these brave men and women show up to serve the people of this city -- to serve you, to serve me. And they do all that... without a mask. If Hector's sole intent was to do good for this community, why was he hiding?! Because the last time I checked, real heroes don't need to hide.

Matt

You see, my old partner and I, straight out of law school, we were so broke, we pooled about everything we had together for an office bottle of O'Melveny's. Only broke it open when we won. Needless to say, the first bottle lasted a very long time. Just a nice little reminder that, once in a while, the system works.

You're talking about your friend Foggy Nelson, right?

Matt

Yeah...

I was kinda wondering when you would.

Matt

It's not easy. He certainly knew how to enjoy the, ah... The good moments when they came.

Well then, here's to a man who cooks, a well-won case, and... Foggy Nelson. May God hold them all in the hollow of His hand.

These quotes come from Wikiquote's Daredevil: Born Again pages and are available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.