One Tree Hill wouldn't be One Tree Hill without the opening/closing narrations. The voiceover quotes are one of the hallmarks that gave the show a little special something and set it apart from other teen dramas. More often than not, in the first six seasons, these voiceover narrations were done by Lucas Scott. Which makes a lot of sense since he's the one often seen reading a book and the one who becomes a published author.
Fans of One Tree Hill know many of these quotes by heart simply because they've inspired them and guided them through life. And if you forgot, we're here to remind you of Lucas Scott's ten most inspirational quotes.
“WE MUST LIVE OUR OWN LIVES WELL.”
In season six, One Tree Hill broke out hearts with yet another tragic death. The fan favorite Quentin Fields – a high school student, and talented basketball player – was shot and killed, and the people who loved him were left to cope with his untimely death. Lucas had some words of reassurance for Quentin's friends and family that all of us need to hear.
"The hardest part of saying goodbye is having to do it again every single day. Every day we face the same truth. That life is fleeting. That our time here is short. And to honor the fallen, we must live our own lives well."
There's no formula for coping with the loss of a loved one, no easy way to say goodbye, no shortcut to moving on. The most any of us can do is to honor their memory by not wasting our lives.
“TRUTH IS STILL ABSOLUTE.”
In season four, Lucas found out that his biological father Dan killed his own brother, and Lucas’s beloved uncle Keith, in cold blood. But, even in the face of such a horrible truth, Lucas was relieved that, at the very least, he could say with certainty that truth was still untarnished.
"Truth is still absolute. Believe that. Even when that truth is hard and cold, and more painful than you’ve ever imagined. And even when truth is more cruel than any lie."
Because even when the truth is cruel and painful, and utterly horrifying, it is still better than any lie.
“DO YOU EVER WONDER IF WE MAKE THE MOMENTS IN OUR LIVES, OR IF THE MOMENTS IN OUR LIVES MAKE US?”
Life moves pretty fast and it’s important to treasure the moments. Stop and appreciate the time you spend with family and friends, enjoy the sunrises and the sunsets – whatever you love and whatever makes you happy. Life is not just about making memorable moments; it’s about making moments that will make you a better person. This iconic One Tree Hill quote from the season four episode "Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers" reminds us of that:
"Do you ever wonder if we make the moments in our lives, or if the moments in our lives make us?"
The moments you treasure add to your life and make you who you are, so make them count.
“OUR BIGGEST REGRETS ARE NOT FOR THE THINGS WE DID, BUT FOR THE THINGS WE DIDN'T DO.”
While the majority of us probably didn’t lead lives nearly as exciting and tragic as the characters from One Tree Hill, we still have our regrets. Things we look back on and wish we would have done differently, wish we would have done or said anything at all instead of staying away and keeping silent. As Lucas put it himself, “regret comes in all shapes and sizes”, but:
"Our biggest regrets are not for the things we did, but for the things we didn't do."
The big takeaway is, if there’s something you need to say or do, something you believe would make a difference or help someone, it’s better to speak up. Escape the pain of regret by doing the right thing.
“DO YOU EVER WONDER HOW LONG IT TAKES TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE?”
In one of One Tree Hill’s best episodes, “Pictures of You,” a teacher assigns the class to pair off and spend an hour finding out their partner’s ultimate fears and desires. A la The Breakfast Club, this one hour ends up changing not only how they perceive each other, but also how they perceive themselves, and essentially changes their lives. Lucas’s quote at the end of the episode inspires us all to open our hearts and minds to change:
"Do you ever wonder how long it takes to change your life? What measure of time is enough to be life-altering? Is it four years, like high school? One year? An eight-week rock tour? Can your life change in a month, or a week, or a single day? We're always in a hurry to grow up, to go places, to get ahead. But when you're young one hour can change everything."
This entire episode is a valuable life lesson for the characters, as well as for the viewers, which is why it's essential One Tree Hill watching.
“HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT MARKS OUR TIME HERE?”
In season four, Lucas had a heart attack and while he was recovering in the hospital he was visited by his deceased uncle Keith. Lucas worried that he’s the reason bad things happen to the people he loves, and Keith showed him what everyone’s lives would be like if he wasn’t a good person. In the closing narration, Lucas reflects on the experience, saying:
"Have you ever wondered what marks our time here? If one life can really make an impact on the world? Or if the choices we make matter? I believe they do. And I believe that one man can change many lives. For better... or worse."
The message is: believe that you can make an impact because you can and you will. It doesn't matter how big or how small it is, what you do does matter.
“MOST OF OUR LIFE IS A SERIES OF IMAGES...”
Let's be honest, life can get really boring at times and make us feel like our entire existence is just pointless meandering and that nothing important ever really happens. If this kind of thinking ever gets you down, remember Lucas’s words:
"Most of our lives are a series of images. They pass us by like towns on the highway. But sometimes a moment stuns us as it happens. And we know that this instant is more than a fleeting image. We know that this moment, every part of it, will live on forever."
Every fleeting image cannot be exciting and significant, every single day cannot be legendary, but the ones that are will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
“HAPPINESS COMES IN MANY FORMS…”
Finding happiness isn’t always the easiest thing to do… and when you’re a teen and it seems like the whole world is out to get you, you’re more likely to forget that happiness can be found anywhere. In the season four episode “Resolve”, Lucas resolves to finally let himself be happy with Payton, saying:
"Happiness comes in many forms – in the company of good friends, in the feeling you get when you make someone else’s dream come true, or in the promise of hope renewed. It’s okay to let yourself be happy because you never know how fleeting that happiness might be."
Happiness really isn’t as complicated as we sometimes make it out to be. We all just need to recognize it when we have it and embrace it.
“THERE ARE MOMENTS IN OUR LIVES WHEN WE FIND OURSELVES AT A CROSSROADS.”
One Tree Hill has helped a lot of young adults get through adolescence and its trials and tribulations. Generations of fans have credited One Tree Hill for giving them the strength to push on, beat the odds, and pursue their dreams. Lucas's closing narration from the season four episode "Things I Forgot at Birth" is one of the most powerful sentiments ever uttered on the show.
"There are moments in our lives when we find ourselves at a crossroads. Afraid, confused, without a road map. The choices we make in those moments can define the rest of our days. Of course, when faced with the unknown, most of us prefer to turn around and go back. But once in a while, people push on to something better. Something found just beyond the pain of going it alone, and just beyond the bravery and courage it takes to let someone in, or to give someone a second chance. Something beyond the quiet persistence of a dream. Because it's only when you're tested that you truly discover who you are. And it's only when you're tested that you discover who you can be. The person you want to be does exist, somewhere on the other side of hard work and faith and belief. And beyond heartache and fear of what lies ahead."
Whether you're a teenager or not, this quote is still relevant, inspiring, and encouraging.
“BECAUSE WE ALL NEED A LITTLE HELP SOMETIMES.”
One Tree Hill taught us many things about growing up, relationships, friendships, and life in general. And it always underlined two very important points: you are not alone, and it’s OK to need a little help sometimes. This season four quote perfectly expresses the message that is present throughout the entirety of the show:
"Sometimes it seems like you are the only one in the world who’s struggling, who’s frustrated, unsatisfied, barely getting by. But that feeling’s a lie. And if you just hold on, just find the courage to face it all for another day, someone or something will find you and make it all okay. Because we all need a little help sometimes – someone to help us hear the music in their world, to remind us that it won’t always be this way. That someone is out there. And that someone will find you."
This quote inspires us to move forward, not to give up no matter the obstacles because there's always music in the world, we just need a little help to hear from time to time. And that's perfectly OK.