Since Peter Parker made his amazing debut, he's become one of the most celebrated comic book characters of all time. As Spider-Man, he's accomplished all sorts of incredible feats over the years, despite often being seen as a street-level hero.

With a unique sense of humor and relatable mentality, Spider-Man has both said and done some of the most hysterical and inspiring things over the years – sometimes at the same time. That's why collecting some of his best phrases and exploring the most iconic Spider-Man quotes of all time is worth the effort.

Updated on February 28, 2022 by Scoot Allan: A mong his superhero allies, Spider-Man is sometimes known as an annoying joker or wise-cracking clown. However, they also know him for his sense of responsibility and ability to deliver motivational speeches. He's also been known to drop a number of memorable quotes that have made fans laugh and cry over the years. A few unforgettable sayings from the wall-crawler have also become iconic.

25 "I'm Spider-Man. Weird Things Happen To Me All The Time."

Spider-Man saving an injured man Marvel Comics

Spider-Man has always been quick to acknowledge the crazy things he's seen in his career as a costumed crime-fighter, which he revealed to a mysterious injured man who called for help inSpider-Man Unlimited#9.

He was cautious about the man's request for help given how frequently he's had to deal with strange traps and potentially dangerous situations. However, he was also used to dealing with the various weird circumstances he encountered on patrol, so he chose to help the man find the police and chalk it up as another weird moment.

24 "Yes. I'm Batman."

Spider-Man revealing he's Batman to the Runaways

One of Spider-Man's close allies, Cloak, was framed for crimes he didn't commit, which brought the Avengers out looking for the street-level hero. He was being aided by the young team of heroes known as The Runaways, and Spider-Man dropped in on a couple of them to talk.

However, using his trademarked humor, he revealed that he was instead one of the Distinguished Competition's most popular heroes in order to help put the Runaways at ease. He then proceeded to buy them a sushi dinner and talk about Cloak instead of automatically starting the usual superhero vs. superhero battles. Good guy Spidey for the win.

23 "I Guess It's Easy To Laugh In The Face Of Danger When You Don't Take Anything Too Seriously."

Spider-Man Marvel Comics - Peter visiting Uncle Ben's grave.

Peter Parker was struggling with the potential loss of his wife, MJ Watson, in a place crash in 2000'sPeter Parker: Spider-Man #20, which led him to visit his Uncle Ben's gravestone for a heart-to-heart with the man who inspired him to become Spider-Man in the first place.

Peter reminisces about the fun he used to have while fighting crime and web-slinging across the city, highlighting the darkness he finds himself facing years after he began. His memory of his lighter attitude made it easier to laugh at his own jokes instead of hiding behind the humor as he does in the modern era.

22 "Is This The End Of Spider-Man?"

Peter Parker collapsing and wondering if it's his final moment

Following a deadly battle with Molten Man that left him exposed to radioactive rocks inAmazing Spider-Man#132, Peter Parker discovered he was suffering from radiation poisoning and passed out on the ground on his way out of the hospital.

It's not his most glamorous moment, and it's not as poignant as some of his more motivational quotes, but his plaintive thought about his potential fate as Spider-Man has been repeated in the movies and on numerous covers for years, making it one of his most iconic quotes.

21 "I don't want to know, Cap. I need to know."

Spider-Man and Captain America talking during Civil War

Spider-Man desperately sought advice from Captain America about what to do on the eve of the superhero Civil War. Cap was branded a fugitive after refusing to sign onto the Superhuman Registration Act, and Iron Man promised to arrest any hero who didn't sign the act.

Peter Parker was an employee of Stark Industries and felt obligated to side with Iron Man, but Spider-Man wanted to hear the wise words of the First Avenger because Peter felt more lost than ever before. This moment also led to the infamous, "No, you move" quote from Cap that later appeared in Captain America: Civil War from Sharon Carter.

20 "My name is Peter Parker and I've been Spider-Man since I was 15 years old."

Peter Parker unmasking to the public during Civil War

That brings us to this moment, which actually happened just before that conversation between Spider-Man and Captain America. This is the landmark moment that the Amazing Spider-Man revealed his secret identity to the world with the backing of Iron Man.

Spider-Man had always been better than most heroes at maintaining his secret identity, so it was a shock when he finally revealed it to the public. Of course, to many people's dismay, he later made a deal with the devil himself, Mephisto, to undo this decision.

19 "Nothing Will Stop Me Now! For I Know At Last That A Man Can't Change His Destiny...And I Was Born To Be Spider-Man!"

Spider-Man giving an emotional speech

After Spider-Man was forced to run from a fight with Green Goblin after hearing about his Aunt May's recent sickness, he was called a coward by the Daily Bugle as well as much of the rest of the city, which weakened his resolve. He was even forced to skip out on a fight with Sandman to take care of his sickly aunt, which caused more ridicule and led to his decision to quit being Spider-Man.

However, his Aunt's recovery and her words of wisdom caused a change in Peter that reminded him of why he never quits – just like his aunt and uncle taught him. After tearing up another of Jameson's scathing editorials, he switched into his costume and returned to action.

18 "Playing super hero isn't a game. It's fate. We choose to do good. Choose to do bad. We had a choice."

Spider-Man holding an injured child

Spider-Man faced off against the newly-powered Demogoblin for the life of a child that he'd kidnapped and began to transform in his own image inSpider-Man#7, which also featured an appearance from Danny Ketch/Ghost Rider. This version of the Rider was relatively new to the superhero life.

The fight against Demogoblin nearly cost the life of the young child they were there to save. Spider-Man tried to help Ghost Rider see how his recklessness was causing problems, but the spirit of vengeance wasn't interested in the valuable lesson.

17 "But No Matter How Hard I Try...People...Die!"

Spider-Man vs an undead Kraven in Soul of the Hunter

"But it's not the same thing! All these years, I've done my best to make up for that! I've worn this suit--gone out there and put my life on the line again and again! But no matter how hard I try... people... die!" Spider-Man always carried more guilt than most heroes over the people he couldn't save. An undead Kraven the Hunter made him confront this guilt inSoul of the Hunter.

He had a bad tendency to blame himself for not being better, faster, stronger, or smarter, even when there was nothing he could feasibly do. On top of that, he had a tendency to see people he deeply cared about die. Even if this isn't one of the more uplifting quotes from Spider-Man, it's one that says a lot about who he is.

16 "We save as many as we can to make up for the ones we couldn't. That's all we do."

Iconic Spider-Man Quote from the Inhuman Error special

"We're not just our failures. As much as they hurt, we learn from them. Then we go out there and do our best to make up for them, even though we never will. We save people. We save as many as we can to make up for the ones we couldn't. That's all we do."

Even if he has a bad tendency to hold onto guilt, Spider-Man has always been very certain about why he puts on the mask and costume, and he's always been quick to try to help the heroes around him find their confidence. This quote actually comes from a team-up with former Captain America Sam Wilson and the Inhumans, when Queen Medusa needed a good old uncle Spidey pep talk.

15 "My fault, all my fault! If only I had stopped him when I could have! But I didn't, and now...Uncle Ben...Is dead."

Spider-Man realizing Uncle Ben's death was his fault

This isn't a particularly uplifting quote either, but it does come from the tragedy that started it all and gave Spider-Man his whole ethos. In short, innocent people die when good people don't step in to help, and he decided that he would make sure his powers are put to good use.

He lost his hero and mentor, Uncle Ben, on one fateful night, and Spider-Man decided to make sure his death meant something by saving others and keeping them from having to deal with the same loss that fuelled him for years.

14 "I know that look. I had it a lot when I was your age...There's no stopping you. I want you to run because you don't have your armor. But you won't...'Cause you're a hero."

Spider-Man and Riri Williams in her Ironheart armor

In one of Spider-Man's more inspirational quotes, Peter Parker is actually talking with the armored heroRiri Williams, who became Ironheart after Tony Stark's disappearance. At a particular time when she was starting to have doubts about being a hero, this conversation with Spider-Man proved to be just what she needed to get back on track.

Not only is it a great quote from the webhead in general, but it also reflects his inspiring nature. Likewise, considering Peter himself became Spider-Man at such a young age, it was all the greater to see him connect with some of Marvel's younger heroes.

13 "Anyone Can Win A Fight When The Odds Are Easy! It's When The Going's Tough, When There Seems To Be No Chance, That's When It Counts!"

Spider-Man about to drown while trapped under heavy machinery

Spider-Man is known for his incredible moments of strength that seem to get him out of impossible situations, and one of the most iconic occurred during "The Final Chapter" storyline fromAmazing Spider-Man#33. Following a battle with Doctor Octopus, Spider-Man was trapped by heavy machinery as Doc Ock's underwater base flooded around him.

Spider-Man momentarily thought about giving up, but as usual, he called on the lessons he learned from the people in his life to inspire him. He knew that it was the hard times in his life that had made him strong enough to overcome any challenge, and he was able to lift tons of equipment to free himself and escape.

12 "When I think of Spider-Man? I think, no matter what…He's never going to stop trying."

Peter Parker giving his thoughts on Spider-Man to a documentarian

Chip Zdarsky's very last issue of Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man told of a documentary filmmaker who was going around asking people their opinion on Spider-Man. The entirety of the single-issue story is a wonderful emotional roller coaster and happens to end with Peter himself being stopped.

When asked about his thoughts on Spider-Man, Peter obviously has a very complicated answer and much more to say than just the quote from above. However, the last sentence of the issue alone is still an incredible way to sum up Spider-Man as an overall character, while also offering insight as to just how motivated Peter really is.

11 "No One Can Win Every Battle, But No Man Should Fall Without A Struggle."

Spider-Man fighting a giant version of Mysterio

Many other comic characters fail to withstand the test of time the same way Spider-Man does. However, even in earlier issues, the hero holds onto the same sense of hope and determination that made him so popular in the first place.

As the hero fights against the tricks of Mysterio in the pages of The Amazing Spider-Man , things begin to look bleak for him. Fortunately, Spider-Man's spirits aren't easily broken, leading to this great and inspiring quote that not only helped him win the day but inspired readers for generations to come.

10 "That's What I Love About This City. Every Time I Need To Hit Someone Really, Really Hard, Some Jerk Steps Up And Volunteers."

Spider-Man fighting criminals in Son of M

TheHouse of M event altered reality with the intention of giving mutantkind and other assembled members of the Avengers and the X-Men their greatest wish in a mutant-dominated society. For Spider-Man, that meant the closest people in his life that he had lost over the years were once again alive, like his parents and Gwen Stacy, who was his wife and the mother of his children.

When reality was fixed and he lost the family life he desired, the memories he retained took him to a dark place. He retreated to his life as Spider-Man and lashed out at a group of criminals targeting a young mutant in the Quicksilver-focusedSon of M#1, remarking that New York City was always quick to provide a much-needed remedy.

9 "Uncle Ben. I couldn't save him…No matter what I did. But I saved you. I did it. I did…"

ultimate-death-of-spider-man

One of the saddest Spider-Man stories to date is undoubtedly Peter Parker's death in the Ultimate universe. As the Sinister Six close in on his house, a wounded Peter and some of his closest allies can't help but struggle against the horde of villains.

Although Peter is actually victorious in the end, the fight took literally everything he had. As he lay dying, he begins to explain to his Aunt May that he's actually content, as he was able to save his loved ones, whereas he couldn't save Uncle Ben. In a very tearful manner, readers are once again reminded of what motivates Peter most, as well as his impeccable drive to help others.

8 "Ah, man, when Wolverine grows his face back, he's really gonna be pretty upset."

Spider-Man and the New Avengers fighting the Wrecker after Wolverine is injured

As one of the funnier lines from the wall-crawler, the above line comes from Brian Michael Bendis' time on New Avengers . Following a serious injury that Wolverine was sure to recover from, Spider-Man wittingly offers his average commentary as he does with almost any other situation.

Though it's not always the most appropriate time for certain things to be said, that's also part of what people love about him. His great quips and awkward one-liners give Peter a certain charm that few other characters manage to capture, making this quote one of the perfect examples of how his personality comes out in battle.

7 "Except the dignity of knowing I never carried a man-purse."

Spider-Man vs Green Goblin during Goblin Nation

Superior Spider-Man was a series that saw Doctor Octopus literally take over the body of Peter Parker, establishing the villain as one of Marvel's biggest heroes. Of course, with comics being comics, it didn't last long, and Otto restored Peter's mind after realizing he was the only one who could take down Norman Osborn.

In one of the best moments from the series, Norman taunts Spider-Man, believing he's still Doc Ock. However, upon hearing this single line, Norman immediately realizes that Peter is back in his own body. Out of context, it doesn't seem like much, but when actually read as part of the story, it's easily one of the most epic Spider-Man moments yet.

6 "I Know I'm Not Good Enough. I Never Will Be. That's No Excuse To Stop Fighting. No Matter How Much It Scares Me. No Matter How Much It Hurts. Ben Parker Taught Me That. And Nothing Scares Me More Than Letting Him Down."

Spider-Man kicking Psycho-Man

Spider-Man was asked to spend a day with the students at Avengers Academy inAmazing Spider-Man #661 to impart some of his lessons about power and responsibility to the young heroes. However, the lesson doesn't go well and they decide to go on patrol together, where they encounter the emotion-manipulating Psycho-Man.

He uses his Control Box to stoke the doubt, fear, and anger of the students and Spider-Man. However, Peter is able to overcome his own insecurities and refocus on the motivation he learned from his Uncle Ben, which lets him teach the heroes of Avengers Academy the lesson they need.