10 Smallville Quotes That Still Live Rent-Free In Our Heads 13 Years After The Show Ended

Summary Life is about change, sometimes painful, sometimes beautiful, but most of the time it's both. Lana Lang's profound advice.

Lex Luthor's ambition shines early on in Smallville, choosing to forge his path without a roadmap. Clark's wary response sets the tone.

Lionel Luthor's sinister threat toward Helen Bryce cements his role in Lex's ruthless upbringing. "Black widows may be powerful predators..."

Even 13 years later, the dialogue of Smallville has continued to strike a chord with DC fans and CW drama lovers alike. Running for an impressive 10 seasons, Smallville mastered the episodic format of a live-action television show based off a DC property years before the shows of the Arrowverse were ever conceived, telling the story of Clark Kent's early adolescence years before becoming Superman. Throughout it's impressive run, the series managed to come up with some quotes that remain memorable even all this time later.

Many of these stunning lines from Smallville's excellent cast are simply profound in their own way, being thoughtful life-lessons worthy of a read even without the context of the episode they spring from. Of course, knowing the background behind each sentence often unearths new levels of appreciation, making it easier to celebrate the most iconic moments of the series one line at a time. From philosophical quandries to humorous quips, the best dialogue of the series exemplifies the range of success Smallville had with its characters.

Related 10 Best Episodes Of Smallville Every Superman Fan Must Watch Smallville was a unique take on the Superman story and had a lot of great episodes that gave Superman fans a new appreciation for Clark Kent.

10 Lana Acknowledges That Life Is Change

Season 1, Episode 2

In Smallville, Clark doesn't start off with his famous love interest, Lois Lane. Instead, the show begins with Clark interested in his first girlfriend with an alliterative "L" name, Lana Lang. The girl-next-door of Clark's dreams, Lana was more than just a romantic interest, and had some surprisingly prescient advice to offer the young Kryptonian on more than one occasion.

The second episode is largely a play on Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis, in which a teenager named Greg evolves into a bug-like creature, targeting Lana. Sharing the book's story of change, Lana touches on the adolescent themes of the entire series as well as the individual episode itself, commenting that “Life is about change, sometimes it's painful, sometimes it's beautiful, but most of the time it's both.” It's easy to see how Clark falls for her after saving her from the deranged insectoid kidnapper.

9 Lex Luthor Sets Out To Forge His Own Path

Season 1, Episode 6

Michael Rosenbaum was quietly the best live-action Lex Luthor for years, and to this day gets scarce recognition for his fantastic portrayal of the character. In Smallville, audiences are treated to Lex and Clark's early relationship as friends, though their fundamentally divergent lives quickly come into play. As early as the sixth episode, their opposed worldviews come into play as the two discuss the future.

The sixth episode of the first season is all about things yet to come, as multiple interested parties track down an old woman with an ability to see the future. On the topic, Lex tells Clark his views on determinism, remarking "Life's a journey, Clark; I don't wanna go through it following a roadmap." Pointing out Lex's ambitions early on, Clark's response is to merely tell his friend to drive more carefully, clearly sensing the small, awkward rift that would later grow to divide the two.

8 Lionel Threatens Helen

Season 3, Episode 1

Smallville does a good job explaining how Lex Luthor grew into the megalomaniac supervillain synonymous with his name, with his father Lionel being at the crux of his callousness. The cutthroat CEO taught Lex much of what he knew as a ruthless business executive, at the cost of damaging the young boy with an utter vacuum of empathy. No line better exemplifies this than when he threatens Dr. Helen Bryce, Luthor's second wife.

After a freak "plane crash," Lionel believes his son to be dead, suspecting Helen as being complicit in the supposed accident. Even if Lionel isn't the most tender father, he still cares for his son, swearing to get revenge on Helen. Lionel points out her duplicitous nature by comparing her to a black widow spider, threatening that "Black widows may be powerful predators, but every predator is somebody else's prey.” Hearing such a line come from Lionel is enough to make anyone shudder in anticipation.

7 Clark's Dad Asssures Him He's More Than His Powers

Season 1, Episode 12

Early on, Smallville audiences got a taste of what life would be like for Clark if he never had powers in the first place. After a bizarre accident involving a bolt of lightning and an alien meteor, Clark's powers are amazingly transferred to another teen, classmate Eric Summer. Experiencing life as a normal human for the first time, Clark struggles to find his place in the world after being seemingly stripped of the one thing that made him special.

Enter Jonathan Kent, always there to save the day when it comes to ensuring his son is operating off of sound moral principles. Ever the loving father, Jonathan assures his son -- “Clark, your gifts are...well they're part of you but they don't define you.” It's easy to see just how true this is after Eric Summers goes on a rampage, unable to handle the emotional burden of his newfound power. This quote makes it clear that not just anyone would be able to handle the awesome powers of Smallville's Superman without cracking.

6 Lex Compares His Dad To Clark's

Season 1, Episode 17

It's pretty clear early on that Lex and Clark have very different patriarchal influences. While Lex's father may leave him the inheritor to a powerful company, he's morally bereft, offering none of the same positive influence that Jonathan Kent provides Clark. Lex himself is quick to point this out early on in the series, acknowledging his jealousy towards Clark's relationship with his Dad compared to his own.

“All my father ever told me was “don’t get caught” and “don’t cause a scandal.” That’s not love, it’s public relations. You have no idea how lucky you are. When my father dies, kings will come to his funeral but when yours does, his friends will come.”

Lex compares his father's strategies in the boardroom to his emotional upbringing, lamenting his lack of a positive influence for building empathy. This boiling resentment helps grow the ideological divide between Clark and Lex, making for one of the most compelling relationships in the series. The Kent family may be less financially well-off, but they're rich in ways that Lex Luthor can only be in his wildest dreams.

Season 1, Episode 21

The 21st episode of Smallville's first season is aptly named "Tempest," due to the many chaotic plotlines swirling around Lex and Clark's heads. The first season finale features many long-boiling narratives coming to a conclusion, including Lex and Lionel's corporate misgivings, Clark and Lana's love life, and Roger Nixon's threats to expose Clark's origins. In the midst of all the chaos and a literal tornado touching down in Kansas, Clark and Lex at least can acknowledge that they have each other's backs.

After dealing with his father's vicious attempts to shift blame to him, Lex is refreshed by his relationship with Clark, who respects him enough to not ask for permission to use the Luthor family limo in the midst of the drama. Lex remarks on the various relationships in his life, including his friendship with Clark, saying " Any relationship founded on lies is destined to fail. It's a good thing we don't have that problem." It's a shame that Smallville's remaining seasons would see the gradual schism of their wonderful friendship.

4 The Prophetic Woman Tells Clark His Future

Season 1, Episode 6

Jumping back to the 6th episode of season 1, the prophetic old woman at the crux of the narrative has some choice words for Clark Kent. Of course, the premise of the series asserts that Clark will eventually become Superman, even if many of Superman's most classic enemies wind up appearing long before he ever dons the red cape and blue tights. Early on, the show gave the briefest of glimpses to this future as the world's greatest hero through the words of Cassandra Carver.

“No Clark, I’ve seen you. Before we ever met. More than once, I’ve touched people and seen such pain and despair… but then you were there and the pain was gone. I think that’s your destiny, Clark. To help people. To save them from fear and darkness.”

This chilling look into Clark's future given by the oracle of Kansas is enough to give goosebumps to any Superman fan. What's particularly remarkable is that Cassandra doesn't harp on the dramatic increase in Clark's power, or even his heroic identity. Instead, she focuses on his ability to soothe others and light their way through dark times, proving that Smallville understood what Superman is really all about.

3 Lionel Makes A Sly Remark On Genevieve's Death

Season 4, Episode 22

Though perhaps not the most memorable of Smallville's villains, Genevieve Teague spent a considerable amount of time as the series' premiere big bad. Manipulating both Lana and Lionel in order to find the coveted Stones of Power, Genevieve would eventually come to hold both Lex and Lionel hostage in an attempt to secure her bid for power. Eventually, she would meet a bloody end at the hands of Isobel possessing Lana's body, being stabbed in the heart with one of her precious crystals.

Later on, Lionel comments wryly on the whole ordeal, demonstrating his utter lack of a conscience with some gallows humor. Luthor remarks that "For a woman without a heart, Genevieve Teague certainly did have a lot of blood." Not every great quote to come out of Smallville has to be a profound or prophetic statement -- In fact, some of the series' best lines are the matter-of-fact delivery of some sassy quips, especially ones with such a morbid subject matter.

2 Hawkman Inspires Superman's Name

Season 10, Episode 2

Oddly enough, the themes of famed German writer and philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche were a recurring theme in Smallville. The Luthors both read and reference his works extensively, and Hawkman, of all people, also seems to be well-versed. While many recall Nietzsche's works as being nihilistic and depressing, Smallville focuses on the sunnier side of his philosophy by linking his writing to the genesis of Superman's name.

"It wouldn't have mattered. To him, the true hero was the person who embraced the life that he or she was given, and made it better. He called that person ubermensch."

As Lois Lane and Hawkeye have a conversation about his mortality and willingness to embrace being a hero, Carter briefly mentions Nietzsche's concept of an "Übermensch" -- A person who strives to live up to his full potential. Lois directly translates the original German into English, calling the idea a "Superman," stunningly saying the hero's name for the first time directly in the series. This connection was a genius way for Smallville to tie its themes directly into the mythos of the famed DC hero.

1 Lois Acknowledges Her Place In Clark's Life

Season 6, Episode 13

The will-they-wont'-they between Clark, Lana, and Lois is one of Smallville's driving conflicts, never losing sight of being a CW drama as well as a DC Comics adaptation. In the 13th episode of season 6, "Crimson," Clark reveals his hand far too much when under the effects of red Kyrptonite, which makes him honest to a fault. This goes a long way to finally clearing up his thoughts and feelings on Lana and Lois, resulting in one of the sassiest Lois Lane comebacks in all of Superman media.

Acknowledging her worth and finalizing her status as Clark's partner, Lois Lane smugly declares “Lana is your past, I’m your future.” Clark tries to derail things by reminding her that they both live in the present, once again tying in to the show's love of Nietzsche, but it's impossible to deny the accuracy of the statement. This single line encapsulates why Smallville's Erica Durance has some of the best Lois Lane scenes ever made, owing to the actress's brilliant portrayal of the feisty reporter.