Lionel Luthor quotes from Smallville

Lionel Luthor

Empires are not brought down by outside forces - they are destroyed by weaknesses from within.

Lionel Luthor

Never underestimate the value of eccentrics and lunatics, Lex. Every Arthur needs his Merlin.

Lionel Luthor

Lex? I can feel your smirk from here.

Lionel Luthor

You know, I was never quite sure which of them was more out of touch with reality — Don Quixote, jousting with imaginary enemies, or his loyal lackey Sancho Panza, indulging his master's fantasies in spite of the danger to everyone else.

Lionel

[reading Lana's letter to Lex] This will destroy Lex...I give you my word Ms. Lang, if you don't honor the promise that you gave my son, or I find out you've told anyone about this conversation I will kill Clark Kent.

Lionel Luthor

You get one.

Lex Luthor

One what?

Lionel Luthor

One chance to defy me.

Lex Luthor

I can't figure out what you hate more -- the fact that my plan works, or that you didn't come up with it first.

Lionel Luthor

Just remember -- empires aren't built on clever bookkeeping.

Lex Luthor

Dad, you have no idea what I'm capable of.

Lionel Luthor

You know perfectly well how I feel about you.

Lex Luthor

Hence I'm at a crap factory in Smallville.

Lionel Luthor

Did you know the Caesars would send their sons to the furthest most corners of the empire so they could get an appreciation of how the world works?

Lex Luthor

Whatever helps you sleep at night, Dad.

Lex Luthor

What could you possibly have to complain about now? The plant's doing well. LuthorCorp stock is up.

Lionel Luthor

I'm not here to complain, Lex. On the contrary, your performance lately has been... more than adequate.

Lex Luthor

That sounds dangerously like a compliment.

Lex Luthor

You know what those emperors you're so fond of talking about were really afraid of? That their sons would become successful and return to Rome at the head of their own army.

Lionel Luthor

You think you can find your future in Smallville? I'm your future. Join me, Lex. Join me in Metropolis. How long have you been waiting to hear me to say those words?

Lex Luthor

I've waited to hear other things from you for a lot longer. I'll return to Metropolis when I'm ready.

Lionel Luthor

At the head of an army?

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.

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!

Clark Kent

Lex may be too afraid to tell you, but I'm not. No one in Smallville wants you here.

Lionel Luthor

You seem to know a lot about me. You got a name?

Clark Kent

Clark Kent.

Lionel Luthor

Jonathan and Martha Kent's son? As far as I know, they're good people. Salt of the earth. I'm astonished they'd raise such a blatantly aggressive offspring.

Clark Kent

Well, if you like them so much, I'm sure they'll put you up. I hear they have a spare bedroom, and I know they could use the cash.

Lionel Luthor

You've got a lot to learn about tact, young man. But you speak your mind. That's good. It'll take you far.

Clark Kent

Oh, I'm going to the top.

Lionel Luthor

I want you as my partner. Blame it on a brief bout of sentimentality.

Lex Luthor

Sentimentality is synonymous with vulnerability. You taught me that. You're on your own.

Lionel Luthor

Lex, have I done something in the recent past to offend you?

There are so many ways I could answer that question, Dad.