Lex Luthor quotes from Smallville

Lex Luthor

Clark, love isn't about playing it safe. It's about risks. Unless you're willing to put yourself out there, you'll never know.

Clark Kent

Have you ever been in love before?

Lex Luthor

I've only loved two women in my life. One died and the other betrayed me.

Clark Kent

I'm sorry.

Lex Luthor

Some people are meant to be alone.

Lex Luthor

I found a man. He said something besides the meteors came down that day.

Clark Kent

Like what?

Lex Luthor

A ship.

Clark Kent

And you believe him?

Lex Luthor

I listened. Chances are he's just another crackpot, but I'd be remiss if I didn't check it out.

Clark Kent

And when the next story comes up, you'll be sure to check that one out too. When are you going to be able to put your past behind you?

Lex Luthor

Take a look at the stars, Clark. Some of them have been extinguished for thousands of years, but their light is only reaching us now. The past is always influencing the present. I can't change that. All I can do is try to understand it.

Lionel Luthor

We're in business to make profits, not friends! You can't let your emotions get in the way of making tough decisions.

Lex Luthor

Don't lecture me about letting emotions get in the way! This plant was showing a profit. You're only shutting it down because I wouldn't go work for you in Metropolis.

Lionel Luthor

Lex, you may have felt that you found a home here, but you were mistaken! This was just your training ground. Well, your training is over! You're coming home, son.

Clark Kent

Why would your father be against the plant?

Lex Luthor

We have a complicated relationship, Clark. My father wants me to believe it's built on trust, but it's not. It's built on lies and deceit. Any relationship with that foundation is destined to fail. Lucky we don't have that problem.

Clark Kent

Lucky us.

Lex Luthor

I don't know. Just got a bad feeling. Kind of like when you can smell the air change before a storm.

Clark Kent

Storms are a way of life around here, Lex. The trick is not to get caught out in the open.

Lionel Luthor

It's suicide, Lex! You may get the plant, but you're putting your employee's homes on the line. Forfeiting your own future!

Lex Luthor

Or forging a new destiny free from you!

Lionel Luthor

You're not my enemy. You're my son.

Lex Luthor

I never saw the distinction.

Lionel Luthor

When Alexander the Great was dying, his generals asked who he would leave his empire to. If he would appoint a successor, it would keep the legacy intact... prevent generations of bloodshed! His answer was simple, 'I leave it to the strongest'.

Lex Luthor

I believe the term is 'Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war!'

Lionel Luthor

I'll bury you and everyone in Smallville who takes your side!

Martha Kent

My son is in jail. And your wife put him there.

Lex Luthor

Maybe these fires were a cry for help.

Martha Kent

Is that you talking, or is Mrs. Luthor talking through you?

Lex Luthor

Mrs. Kent, I would never ask you to take sides against your husband, please don't ask me to doubt my wife.

Martha Kent

Any good relationship relies on trust, but there has to be room to disagree. Like the way Jonathan and I disagreed about you. He couldn't see past the Luthor name, but I always thought you were truly trying to be a friend to Clark. Now I'm beginning to think Jonathan was right all along.

Lex Luthor

Try to be more cautious. I let my passion get the best of me. I won't make that mistake again.

Clark Kent

Lex, I don't think having passion is such a bad thing.

Lex Luthor

You're right, Clark. Passion for life and work and friends is great. As long as you keep it in check. I should take a page out of your book.

Lex Luthor

You pushed me, and in hindsight, I appreciate that. In some ways, you're responsible for the man I am today.

I'm not sure that's a burden I care to take on.

Lex Luthor

Ever wish you had a big brother to help you with your jump shot?

Clark Kent

I think I've managed to become a pretty decent player on my own.

Lex Luthor

Rachel Dunleavy came to see me. She says you and I have a few chromosomes in common. My father's chromosomes to be exact.

Clark Kent

You mean...

Lex Luthor

Personally, I think I got all the looks in the family.

Lex Luthor

So you staged a one-man prison break? How did you manage to get him out without anybody stopping you?

Clark Kent

Just lucky, I guess.

Lex Luthor

You're the luckiest guy I've ever met. Let's hope it doesn't run out before tomorrow.

Lex Luthor

Ryan, real life is not a comic book. Sometimes you have to get your hands dirty, make compromises.

Ryan James

That's what your father told you. That doesn't mean it's right.

Lex Luthor

Clark, I understand what you're going through, but sometimes, no matter how much you want to save someone, there's nothing you can do.

Clark Kent

I'm not gonna let Ryan down.

Lex Luthor

When my mother got sick, I spent all my time researching the best doctors and treatments. The most important thing I could've done was spend time with her. By the time I realized that, it was too late. I wasn't at her side when she passed, Clark. Don't make the same mistake I did.

Clark Kent

I'm not going to let him die, Lex.

Ryan James

Weren't they best friends?

Lex Luthor

Once upon a time.

Ryan James

Well, what happened to them?

Lex Luthor

Well, they ruled the Guardian Realm together until Devilicus told Warrior Angel that they should join forces and conquer humanity. Together, no one would be able to stop them.

Ryan James

What did Warrior Angel say?

Lex Luthor

He refused. He believed it was a hero's sacred duty to protect those weaker than himself. Devilicus thought he was naive and vowed to destroy him and everything he stood for.

Ryan James

Why do you think Devilicus went bad?

Lex Luthor

I'm not sure. Probably wasn't aware of it. You see, Ryan, in life, the road to darkness is a journey, not a light switch.

Ryan James

You should remember that, Lex.