Original artwork, not a still
Only the meek get pinched. The bold survive.
— Ferris Bueller's Day Off • 1986
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Ferris is talking an anxious friend into walking into the most dangerous room in town, and he does it by turning fear into a style choice. It is the film's attitude in two short sentences and has outlived the movie as a motto for anyone who wants permission to take a risk.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Ferris Bueller's Day OffShow the scene
In Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986, written and directed by John Hughes), Ferris and Cameron are in Cameron's father's Ferrari in Chicago, and Ferris has just admitted that out of 4,000 downtown restaurants he picked the one his father goes to. Cameron says they are caught for sure. Ferris answers that only the meek get pinched, puts on his beret and says let's go; Cameron suggests surrender and Ferris says never. Inside, Ferris gives the host the name Abe Froman, the sausage king of Chicago.
Sources (2)
- Wikiquote: Ferris Bueller's Day OffDialogue after the odometer sceneReference checked
- Springfield! Springfield! transcript, Ferris Bueller's Day OffRestaurant sequenceReference checked
Context reviewed
