Lionel Luthor quotes from Smallville

Chloe Sullivan

Mr. Luthor, what's this about?

Lionel Luthor

We had what I assumed was a private conversation, but imagine my surprise to have Lex throw my very own words right back in my face. You led me to believe, Miss Sullivan, that, uh, you were no longer in communication with Lex.

Chloe Sullivan

Well, I'm not. But thank you for the wildly offensive insinuation. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm on a deadline.

Lionel Luthor

Not anymore. Your column at the Daily Planet's been cancelled.

Chloe Sullivan

What?

Lionel Luthor

All right, all right. Here's the deal. You tell me everything you fed to Lex, I'll let things stand.

Chloe Sullivan

I told you I'm not Lex's source. And while I'm sure you could kill my column, this is not the only piece I'm working on for the Daily Planet. I know I could interest them in a story about an eccentric billionaire with an obsessive interest in a Kansas farm boy.

Lionel Luthor

You threatening me? I'd be careful, Miss Sullivan. Very careful.

Chloe Sullivan

I'll be whatever I want. Apparently, I don't work for you anymore.

Lionel Luthor

[to a class] Now, you're all here to learn something about business. The most important element in anything to do with economic theory is the individual. Yes, you. Traditional rules, supply and demand--they're secondary. But to rise above those rules, to know when to break them, requires absolute personal commitment. I consider it a prerequisite for success.

Chloe Sullivan

[to Clark, quietly] And I consider it despicable, immoral, and possibly illegal.

Lex Luthor

You know, Dad, they say mental illness is hereditary. I'm willing to accept my break with reality. Are you?

Lionel Luthor

Oh, Lex, men of vision have so often been mocked. Galileo knew it was the earth that orbited the sun, and he was sentenced to death for that discovery.

Lex Luthor

Where's the Inquisition when you need it?

Jonathan Kent

This is your last warning. Stay away from my son.

Lionel Luthor

If you'd raised your son the way I raised mine, maybe you wouldn't have to protect him. You know, weakness isn't something you're born with. You learn it. And Clark learned his from you.

Lionel Luthor

I'm impressed but unfortunately, I don't respond to blackmail. But you know, this isn't what's going to get your father's job back.

Chloe Sullivan

Then what would?

Lionel Luthor

Information from an especially intransigent source.

Chloe Sullivan

Does this source have a name?

Lionel Luthor

Two, actually. Jonathan and Martha Kent. But you need only ask one question.

Chloe Sullivan

Why would I ever do that?

Lionel Luthor

Because I know that you have a special place in your heart for their son, and it's killing you that he's hiding something from you. And we both know that this may be the only opportunity you'll ever have to find out what that is.

Chloe Sullivan

And what exactly is it that you want to know?

Lionel Luthor

Where did Clark Kent come from?

Lex

Summerholt is a highly respected institution.

Lionel

Respected? Lex, this Garner character operates on the outer fringes of accepted science.

Lex

Well, then you should feel right at home.

I don't want to hold him.

Lionel

Lillian, it's unnatural for a mother not to want to bond with her child. Please... I will not let you inflict psychological scars on my children.

That's why they have you, Lionel.

Lionel

"Forgive them for they know not what they do". Is that what you expect from me? Forgiveness?

Lex

Don't try to make me out as your own personal Judas. I didn't come here for forgiveness. I came here to congratulate you on sweeping another mishap under the rug. Emily Dinsmore.

Lionel

Ah, yes, Emily Dinsmore. I should've remembered. You should've warned them. Belle Reve has a habit of misplacing its patients. The details. I've always tried to teach you, Lex. The devil is in the details. If you don't pay attention to the details, he'll win.

Lex

Then it's a good thing I'm a fast learner. You went through all the trouble of having your own son committed to an asylum and shooting 600 volts of electricity through his body just to cover up your trespasses, but like I said, Dad, you've gotten careless.

Lex

Clark, you don't seem like your usual self. You barely said a word the entire ride home.

Sorry. Being in that prison... I guess it upset me.

Lex

Yeah, well, it isn't exactly the happiest place on earth.

No, it isn't, Lex. Do you ever feel guilty? Sending your father to prison, I mean.

Lex

Why would I? The man murdered his parents. I did society a favor.

And that blood relationship, it doesn't mean anything to you?

Lex

Clark, since when did you become president of my father's fan club?

You're right. Of course. He's only your father. Why should you feel anything?

I have to confess that I... I find you absolutely fascinating. It's that twinkle in your eye... your wonderfully sexy smile... and your skin is...

Chloe

Clark, what are you doing?

What I've wanted to do for a very... very long time. [leans to kiss her, then pulls away] Don't you wish.

What do you think? I wanted to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule, Mr. Luthor. I understand how time-consuming making license plates can be... You're not gonna touch me with that rock in your hand. You won't get near me, not with my... speed.

You're never gonna get away with this.

Oh, but I am. With my mind and your body, the sky's the limit, Clark.

I don't know what you're talking about.

You know, it's becoming clear to me why you're so secretive. You understand that true power... is better left concealed.

Lionel

How's Lex? I've been trying to contact him since I heard, but he won't speak to me.

Clark

He thinks you're trying to frame him. Are you?

Lionel

No, Clark.

Clark

Why should I believe you?

Lionel

There's no reason you should. Listen to me. I was ill, Clark. The liver disease I had was a death sentence. And something happened. I can't explain it. I woke up on the floor. There was a riot. I felt as if a different kind of energy had been inside me. Something strong and... good. I was changed. And my liver had healed.

Clark

What was it?

Lionel

I don't know. All I can say was... it was miraculous. I could see the darkness, the destructive power that had always been inside me. I can see it in Lex now.

I hope I didn't separate you from your flock.

Lionel

I understand your cynicism, Warden Stall, but I assure you I truly am a changed man.

Oh. Or just a smart one. You know, ever since you proclaimed this sudden conversion to our resident St. Paul, there hasn't been a single attempt on your life.

Lionel

I want only to be of help to others. What is the value of my sinful life unless I use it as an example to shepherd fellow sinners, to lead them away from the allure of hedonism, mistrust, and greed? To follow a better way?

Lionel

I'm guilty. Not of the crime I've been imprisoned for, but... so many other crimes which should've landed me in here years ago. This is where I belong. It's where I can do the most good.

You want to stay in prison?

Lionel

Yes, I do. I've found my... my mission in life.

Contrary to your deluded point of view, this is not the Ritz Carlton where you can check in and check out at your leisure. Somebody did you a favor by getting you out of this place. I'd say be grateful.

Lionel

But who? Who could do that?

Obviously someone more powerful than you.

Lionel

You have a ferocious desire to find all the answers, son, but don't let your search for those stones turn into your personal Tower of Babel.

Lex

I'm not trying to get closer to God, Dad. I'm trying to solve the riddles He's laid out for me.

Lionel

Did you ever think there might be a reason why we weren't given the answers?

Lex

To challenge us?

Lionel

Or maybe to humble us. Knowledge comes from finding the answers, yes, but understanding what the answers mean is what brings wisdom. Men who didn't understand the difference have been the ruin of some of the world's greatest civilizations.

Lex

Is that why you stopped looking for the stones? Because you're afraid?

Lionel

No. No, I stopped because I realized that even if I find the three stones, I'm not gonna find what I'm really looking for. Neither will you.