Summary

• Forrest Gump quotes are memorable and inspiring, and have contributed to the film's lasting impact.
• Forrest's kindness, comion, and desire to contribute to changing history are defining traits of his character.
• The movie highlights the ignorance of others and explores the perception of Forrest as both enlightened and different.

Released in 1994, the critically acclaimed and widely beloved film Forrest Gump tells the story of the titular Forrest (Tom Hanks), who's written off by many due to his low IQ, but he continually proves that he's an extraordinary man through his key roles in major moments in history. Forrest's kindness and comion are the defining traits of his character, as well as his desire to contribute to changing history. In addition, Forrest and those around him demonstrate an impressive level of wisdom about the world they live in. This means that Forest Gump quotes have become some of the most memorable and inspiring in film history.

Were Forrest Gump a real historical figure, he'd arguably be among the most influential of the second half of the twentieth century. He was a star college football player, a Medal of Honor recipient, and a successful businessman who met several US presidents, influenced John Lennon, and exposed the Watergate scandal. His list of accomplishments is almost beyond belief. Still, at its core, Forrest Gump is a tale of love, loss, and redemption made legendary as a result of some truly excellent writing. Were it not for these quotes, the movie likely wouldn't be nearly as well-ed as it is today.

25 "Hello. My Name's Forrest, Forrest Gump. You Want A Chocolate?"

Forrest Gump

The Forrest Gump opening scene helps to establish him as a thoroughly likable character. Sitting on a bench waiting for the bus, Forrest strikes up a conversation with a total stranger, even offering them some of his chocolates. The stranger coldly turns him down and tries to ignore him, but Forrest still decides to have a friendly conversation with them. It is a simple introduction that shows Forrest is an inherently kind person who doesn't let the rudeness of others change his happy demeanor (and sets him up as generally lacking an awareness of social cues).

24 "I’m Pretty Tired… I Think I’ll Go Home Now."

Forrest Gump

The movie has a lot of interesting things to say about how people perceive Forrest. Though he is not book-smart, his more simplistic look at the world can sometimes make him seem like the most enlightened person in the room while highlighting the ignorance in others. When Forrest mindlessly begins running across the country, many others him and become devotees to his way of life. However, when Forrest simply announces to them that he's tired and ready to go home, it explores how foolish they were for following him for no reason, making his run seem a lot smarter in comparison.

23 "Dear God, Make Me A Bird. So I Could Fly Far. Far Far Away From Here."

Forrest Gump

Arguably the biggest character in Forrest Gump other than Forrest himself is Jenny (Robin Wright), the woman he loves. The audience is introduced to Jenny through Forrest's naive eyes but it is made clear that she was being abused by her father at a young age, and much of her life was painted as a reaction to this trauma - including her choices in partners, and her addiction. Her life also takes her far from her hometown, and her rootless existence is a huge part of her character. The first that the audience sees of this is when she and Forrest are children, and they hid in the cornfield and pray, over and over, for her to be able to 'fly far away'. This is later echoed in one of her worst moments, when she contemplates jumping off a balcony - her various forms of flight, and of running away, are a huge part of who she is.

22 "Mama Always Had A Way Of Explaining Things So I Could Understand Them."

Forrest Gump

Throughout the movie, Forrest brings up the various pieces of advice and sayings that his mother offered over the years, many of which ended up shaping him. In a sweet moment early on, Forrest drops this gem, which shows just how patient and understanding his mother was. Forrest often struggled to understand why the world worked the way it did, but his mother was always willing to find a way to simplify things so that he could grasp the basic concept. His mother is an incredible character, and this quote sums up the connection that they have.

21 "You Have To Do The Best With What God Gave You."

Mrs. Gump

One example of Mama Gump's (Sally Field) helpful advice comes with this memorable Forrest Gump quote. It is an encouraging bit of advice from a loving mother to her son who she knows will have to struggle in life at times. However, Mrs. Gump's words to Forrest set the stage for his entire journey. While he might not be the most intelligent man out there, Forrest always did the best he could and that allowed him to experience more than most people could ever hope to in their lives.

20 "Is He Smart Or Is He...?"

Forrest Gump

Forrest faces a lot of meanspirited people who put him down throughout his life because of his perceived low intelligence, but Forrest never seems bothered by it nor does he really seem to notice. However, there is a heartbreaking moment near the end of the movie when Forrest meets his son and asks Jenny if he is smart or if he's like Forrest. Tom Hanks' performance in the moment is incredible and it shows that, despite Forrest's happy and kind demeanor, he is aware that he is different and does not want the same thing for his son.

19 "That's All I Have To Say About That."

Forrest Gump

This Forrest Gump quote is repeated throughout the movie as Forrest tells his story to the strangers who share the bench with him. Forrest seems to be absentmindedly detailing this incredible journey throughout the Forrest Gump timeline and is oblivious to some of the extraordinary things he was a part of. However, there are times when it is clear Forrest is overcome with sadness in telling his story when he utters this phrase. With the death of his mother and the death of Bubba, Forrest delivers this line suggesting it is a memory too painful to explore anymore. It's also spoken off the bench - when Forrest gives an unplanned speech at a protest in Washington, his words aren't heard because the mic is turned off - but it is turned back on just in time for him to say this line.

18 "Lieutenant Dan Got Me Invested In Some Kind Of Fruit Company..."

Forrest Gump

Over the course of the sprawling film, the relationship between Forrest and his former superior Lieutenant Dan (Gary Sinise) evolves significantly. Lieutenant Dan doesn't seem to like Forrest when they first meet, but soon enough, the two realize that they're all the other has, and that the universe keeps bringing them back together. Later in their lives, Lieutenant Dan gives Forrest some sage financial advice - to invest in Apple stock. However, Forrest doesn't understand that Apple is a tech company, not a fruit. "So then I got a call from him, saying we don't have to worry about money no more. And I said, 'That's good!' One less thing." It's a funny Forrest Gump quote that demonstrates Forrest's carefree nature.

17 "It Happens."

Forrest Gump

During his amazing journey on foot across the country, Forrest winds up developing quite the following, including people who come to him looking for ideas and inspiration. One of those people is a man trying to find a slogan to put on bumper stickers. As it happens, at the exact moment the man is questioning Forrest, he runs right through a pile of dog feces. Undeterred, he observes, "It happens." The man is inspired to develop a new brand of bumper stickers that say, "s*** happens.", which is an iconic quote in pop culture. It's yet another historical moment Forrest Gump managed to put its own unique spin on.

16 "I Don't Know If We Have A Destiny..."

Forrest Gump

The entire film makes the case that, though Forrest may not be the smartest man in the world, he does have a level of understanding and wisdom that most people could only hope for. At the movie's end, Forrest's wisdom is perfectly encapsulated as he visits Jenny's grave and tries to make sense of the way the world works. "I don't know if we have a destiny, or if we're all just floatin' around accidental-like on a breeze, but I think maybe it's both. Maybe both is happenin' at the same time." It's a beautiful Forrest Gump quote and this concept is reflected in the film's touching image of a feather floating away from young Forrest Jr. (Haley Joel Osment).