Raph and Splinter in “Unfinished Business”

Who does Leo think he is? So what if I got a temper? I’m still the best fighter we’ve got. In fact, if anything, my anger makes me a better fighter. You understand me, don't you, Spike? Chew on your leaf if you understand me. [Spike chews on leaf] Yeah, I thought so.

[suddenly walks in] I understand you too.

[scared out of his wits] Seriously, you gotta knock or something!

Raphael, let me tell you a story.

[tiredly] Sensei, I'm not really in the mood for a story.

Spike, chew on your leaf if you're in the mood for a story. [Spike chews on his leaf] Very well. When I was a young man, I fell in love with a woman.

[sarcastically; pretending to check the time] Oh, hey, is it that late already? [tries to leave]

[firmly] Sit! [Raph sits down in defeat and he continues] Her name was Tang Shen, and I was not the only one who loved her. There was another man competing for her attention, Oroku Saki.

Shredder.

One day, he insulted me in front of her. He called me many things. I felt I couldn't let those insults go unanswered. I lost my temper, and over time, our rivalry festered into hatred. Until Shredder sought to finish me. And I lost my beloved Tang Shen.

[lost for words; unsure of how to react] But... But it wasn't your fault. Shredder insulted you, you... You had no choice.

[through gritted teeth] "No choice"? I could have chosen to ignore him, I could have chosen to let his words wash over me, like a river over stone. [shamefully] But I let him anger me, it was I who made his words into weapons. That's the choice I made. What choice will you make?