10 Best Final Lines From MCU Characters

4. "Don't Waste It... Don't Waste Your Life" - Ho Yinsen

Black Panther Erik Killmonger
Marvel Studios

The Line

"Don't waste it. Don't waste your life."

Why It's Awesome

Though he had only a relatively small role in the first Iron Man, Ho Yinsen (Shaun Toub) remains one of the MCU's most pivotal characters, without whom Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) himself would've never lived to become Iron Man.

Yinsen was a doctor held captive in Afghanistan alongside Stark, and who created the prototype Arc Reactor which prevented shrapnel shards from reaching Stark's heart, while also helping build the first Iron Man suit.

Ultimately Yinsen sacrifices himself to distract the Ten Rings while Stark powers the suit up, and in his dying words affectingly implores Tony to make the most of the opportunity being afforded to him - a second chance at life.

These words become the primary motivation for Stark's decade-plus journey throughout the MCU, as he grapples with substance abuse, PTSD, and what it means to be a hero.

Tony ends up laying down his own life to disintegrate Thanos (Josh Brolin) in Avengers: Endgame, most assuredly living up to Yinsen's lofty request. A life well lived if there ever was one.

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.