Memorable quotes for
A Passage to India (1984) More at IMDbPro »

Mrs. Moore: My dear, life rarely gives us what we want at the moment we consider appropriate. Adventures do occur, but not punctually.

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Mrs. Moore: God has put us on earth to love and help our fellow men.
Ronny: Yes, mother.

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Richard Fielding: [on the glasses found on Aziz after the latter's arrest] If Adela had hit him with it, he'd hardly take it with him.
McBryde: I'm not surprised.
Richard Fielding: I don't follow.
McBryde: When you think of crime, you think of English crime. The psychology's different out here.

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McBryde: [at the trial] Before we begin, I'd like to state what I believe to be a universal truth: the darker races are attracted to the fairer, but not vice-versa.
Advocate Amrit Rao: Even when the lady is LESS attractive than the gentleman?
[court breaks out in laughter]

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Das: [Ali is carrying on during the trial] Please, this is no way to defend your case!
Ali: I am not defending a case - and YOU are not trying one! We are both slaves!
Das: Mr. Mahmoud Ali, if you don't calm down, I will have to exercise my authority.
Ali: Do so! This trial is a farce!
[throws papers off the desk]
Ali: I'm going! I've ruined my career!
[to Aziz]
Ali: Farewell my friend!
Ali: Mrs. Moore! Where are you, Mrs. Moore?

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Ali: How is Britain justified in holding India?
Dr. Aziz H. Ahmed: Unfair political question!
Richard Fielding: No, no! Well, personally, I'm here because I need a job.
Ali: Qualified Indians also need jobs!
Richard Fielding: I got here first.
[laughter]
Richard Fielding: Well, I like it here and that's my excuse.
Advocate Hamidullah: And those Englishmen who do not like it here?
Richard Fielding: Chuck 'em out.
[laughter]
Ali: Indians are also saying that.

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Major Callendar: [to Ronny, on Mrs. Moore] She's old - we musn't forget that. Old people never take things as one expects.

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Turton: [in a club meeting] There is a certain member here present who is known to be in contact with the defense. One can't run with the hare and hunt with the hounds - at least not in this country!
Richard Fielding: I'd like to say something.
Turton: Please do.
Richard Fielding: I believe Dr. Aziz is innocent. I will await the verdict of the jury. If he is found guilty, I will resign my post and leave India. I resign from the Club now!
[exits]

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Dr. Aziz H. Ahmed: [to Ali and Hamidullah when Fielding visits] No, he does not need THREE chairs! He is NOT THREE Englishmen!

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Ronny: [on Aziz] He was dressed in his Sunday best, and his back collar stud was out. And there you have the Indian all over.

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Dr. Aziz H. Ahmed: You shouldn't walk alone, Mrs. Moore. There are bad characters about, and leopards may come down from the Marabar Hills - snakes also!
Mrs. Moore: You walk alone.
Dr. Aziz H. Ahmed: I am used to it.
Mrs. Moore: Used to snakes?
Dr. Aziz H. Ahmed: I'm a doctor - they dare not bite me!

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Adela Quested: I do so hate mysteries.
Richard Fielding: We English do.
Mrs. Moore: I rather like mysteries - but I rather dislike muddles.
Richard Fielding: A mystery is only a high-sounding term for a muddle. Me and the Professor know that India is a muddle.
Professor Godbhole: Agreed, I am sorry to say.

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Indian crowd member #1: [pointing at Mr. Fielding and Adela leaving in the carriage] That was Mr. Fielding!
Indian crowd member #2: And Mrs. Moore!
Entire Indian crowd: Mrs. Moore! Mrs. Moore! Mrs. Moore!...

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