Marcus Kane of The 100 started off as the scapegoat antagonist. He was meant to distract, to make us think we knew the kind of man he was from the start. It wasn’t long until we realized he was so much more than the adversary of everything we were cheering for. He was pragmatic, unyielding, genuine, capable, sassy, and plagued with a penchant for doing what’s right for his people even when it got tough.
He was a leader.
With each season that passed and every sorrowful moment we encountered he stayed strong. He took responsibility for his actions, strived to not let his people lose themselves, and eventually adopted a group of kids who needed guidance. He took in the lost (aka Bellamy and Octavia) to make sure they knew someone believed in them, loved them, and cared for them.
That’s why Kane’s words stick close to us weeks and months later. They’re moments that define the man and those he’s trying to guide because it comes from a place of understanding. For that reason, it’s important to remember the weight his words carried and how they changed the world around him.
Here are 6 inspirational quotes that make Marcus Kane the leader he is today.
“One decision does not define a man.”
(Season 1 Episode 5 Twilight’s Last Gleaming)
Why We Remember It: It opens up a platform where people aren’t judged by one grand victory or error. The only way to truly know someone is to look at their collective qualities, attributes, and values. Even better, change is possible if you no longer wish to hold onto the person you were before.
“Salvation comes at a price.”
(Season 1 Episode 13 We Are Grounders: Part 2)
Why We Remember It: No matter how much you think your actions are right/warranted, everything comes with its own set of matching consequences. You will lose as much as you gained and you must accept that.
“We can’t keep this up…and hope to survive.”
(Season 2 Episode 3 Reapercussions)
Why We Remember It: Sometimes you have to step back and take stock of everything. What you’ve done and what you hope to accomplish don’t matter if you lose yourself.
“Being a good leader means knowing which battles to fight.”
(Season 2 Episode 12 Rubicon)
Why We Remember It: Everything doesn’t have to be a constant struggle. You have to strategize. Bid your time and delegate. When you’re ready, your enemy won’t stand a chance.
“That’s not who we are.”
(Season 3 Episode 8 Terms and Conditions)
Why We Remember It: No matter how hard things get you can’t turn into the enemy you’re fighting. Your values is what distinguishes you from the enemy not far.
“These are times when we have to look beyond the rules. To realize they were established to serve a world of the past. Not of the future. I beg you, one last time, to see the world as it is, not as it was or as you want it to be.”
(Season 3 Episode 8 Terms and Conditions)
Why We Remember It: The world never stops moving, growing, changing. Either evolve with it or get left behind. With how fleeting life is on The 100, it’s the only way to survive. You must adapt.
The 100 returns Thursday, March 31st @ 9/8c on The CW.