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Hero Quotes

On heroes, idols, and who we choose to look up to.

These quotes look at what it means to have a hero, whether that's a musician admired from the audience or a childhood icon like Mickey Mouse who fits several roles at once. Explore more in Inspiration quotes.

I respect my dad, and he's amazing. He's my hero. He's the Beatles, man - or one of them.

Quotes by James McCartney

I don't think I was a hero. I was just doing my job.

Quotes by James McCloughan

I was always good at video games like 'Guitar Hero,' which require the player to press buttons at precise times.

Quotes by James Holzhauer

By the age of 11, I was no longer going to Sunday Mass, and going on birdwatching walks with my father. So early on, I heard of Charles Darwin. I guess, you know, he was the big hero. And, you...

Quotes by James D. Watson

Heroes aren't born, they' re cornered. Oh, I was cornered. And I found out that I was no hero.

Quotes by James Belushi

My dad's a hero in a lot of ways. He was a 1960s and 1970s hippie and a member of the protest crowd.

Quotes by Jake Tapper

My mom is a hero in a lot of ways because she's the most empathetic and kind person I've ever met.

Quotes by Jake Tapper

One hero in my life that I've had from college on to now was Muhammad Ali. I studied his quotes, his style, and his strength. He was a revolutionary in every sense of the word.

Quotes by Jalen Rose

Everywhere I go, people embrace me and treat me like a national hero. The people in the streets are asking for the return of the military. They ask, 'When are you coming back?'

Quotes by Jair Bolsonaro

Man, in the collective sense, is the hero of science. Man, in the collective sense, is the hero of Earth.

Quotes by Jacque Fresco

I wanted to be a chef; I became a hero.

Quotes by Jackie Shroff

My mother is my hero.

Quotes by J. R. Martinez

My understanding, from what I've learned so far about Commissioner Gordon, is that he's the older guy with the mustache who relates with our hero in a certain way.

Quotes by J. K. Simmons

For a lot of people, Superman is and has always been America's hero. He stands for what we believe is the best within us: limitless strength tempered by compassion, that can bear adversity and emerge stronger on the other side....

Quotes by J. Michael Straczynski

What's a hero if not for its journey.

Quotes by J. H. Wyman

I thought, 'Oh, this is great,' because maybe someone who does look like me will watch 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' and realize that they can be an actor if they want to be, or they can be a superhero. They can...

Quotes by J. August Richards

The cool thing for me is, I go to a lot of conventions - a lot of science fiction conventions like Comic-Con - and there are always a lot of attendants of color. And I think some people believe that...

Quotes by J. August Richards

The term 'hero' irritates me greatly.

Quotes by Irena Sendler

I am not a hero but the brave men who died deserved this honor.

Quotes by Ira Hayes

Dilip Kumar was the only Bollywood hero who could make a girl shiver just by looking at her. If you don't believe it, ask your mom!

Quotes by Imtiaz Ali

Frequently Asked Questions

What do these hero quotes have in common?
These quotes explore how we relate to heroes and idols - real people, cultural icons, and even fictional characters. One captures pure personal admiration: "Because he was my hero, I would visit him for inspiration," describing visits to see a performer named Bobby. For more on that feeling of being personally inspired, see Inspiration quotes.
Is there a quote about a specific real hero?
Yes - one quote is direct and heartfelt: "Glenn Gould was my hero. Glenn Gould was my idol. I loved him." It's a simple, repeated declaration of admiration for a named figure.
Do any of these quotes mention fictional heroes?
Yes. One quote points out that a hero doesn't have to come from real life: "Whether it's as the hero of an adventure story, as teacher and friend, as icon on watch, shirt or hat - everyone knows Mickey Mouse," showing how a cartoon character can fill the same role as a real-life hero.
Do heroes stay heroes forever, according to these quotes?
Not necessarily - one quote takes a more cynical, cyclical view: "The idol of today pushes the hero of yesterday out of our recollection; and will, in turn, be supplanted by his successor of tomorrow." It suggests admiration is often temporary rather than permanent, which touches on ideas found in Legacy quotes too.
Where can I read more about what makes someone heroic?
For related themes, take a look at Courage quotes and Sacrifice quotes.

Others point out that admiration doesn't stay fixed - today's idol eventually gives way to someone new. See also Courage quotes and Legacy quotes.