Our favorite childhood cartoon (and our parents' cleaning utensil of choice), SpongeBob had an infectious personality that was as genuine as it was annoying. He taught us how to be a good friend and 100 ways to irritate our next-door neighbor. Though our days spent watching this hilarious series have passed (okay, maybe not completely... ), we've learned many valuable lessons from this children's show that remain relevant to our adult lives today. Get ready for the nostalgia (and maybe the feels) as we take you through 12 of our spongy friend's best life lessons.
1. Always own up to your mistakes and prepare to face the consequences.
SpongeBob: Squidward… I used your clarinet to unclog my toilet!
2. Believe in the power of “mind over matter” (even if it fails you sometimes).
SpongeBob: [thinking] I don't need it. I don't need it. I definitely don't need it. I don't need it. I don't need it. I don't need it. I don't need it.
[pause]
SpongeBob: [shouts] I... need... it!
3. Be prepared for any challenge and let your confidence resonate.
Patrick: Who's ready?
SpongeBob: I'm ready!
Patrick: Who's ready?
SpongeBob: I'm ready!
Patrick: Who's ready?
SpongeBob: *I'm ready!*
4. Make your own happiness and don’t let the judgment of others discourage you from doing what you love.
Squidward: SpongeBob is the only guy I know who can have fun with a jellyfish… [shouting] for 12 hours!
5. Strive to be the person that makes the world a better place.
Mermaid Man: Now, who wants to save the world?
Spongebob: I do!
Patrick: I do!
Sandy Cheeks: I do!
Squidward: I don't.
6. Live life with a sense of fascination for the little things.
SpongeBob: [in a mattress store] Wow, look at all these mattresses! How many do you think here are?
Patrick: [looks around the store] 10.
SpongeBob: Cool.
7. Know what you want in life and be willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it.
SpongeBob: Hi, Kevin. I'm your biggest fan.
Kevin the Sea Cucumber: That's nice. Security!
SpongeBob: No, no! I'll do anything you want!
Kevin the Sea Cucumber: Go jump off a building.
[SpongeBob jumps off building, returns]
SpongeBob: Anything.
Kevin the Sea Cucumber: Punch yourself in the face.
[SpongeBob punches himself with a boxing glove]
Kevin the Sea Cucumber: Doesn't that hurt?
SpongeBob: [Puts on a metal gauntlet with spikes] Do you want it to hurt, Kevin?
8. Lesson: Remember your manners, especially in unpleasant situations.
Spongebob: Excuse me, sir, but you’re sitting on my body, which is also my face.
9. Ignore cruel and negative people and help your friends do the same.
Patrick: Are they laughing at us?
Spongebob: No, Patrick. They’re laughing next to us.
10. Optimism does wonders for dealing with brick walls.
SpongeBob: Isn’t this great Squidward? It’s just the three of us. You, me, and this brick wall you built between us.
11. Respect other people’s differences, even if they don't make sense to you.
Squidward: Do you have to stand so close? You’re making me claustrophobic!
Patrick: What does claustrophobic mean?
Spongebob: I think it means he’s afraid of Santa Claus.
Patrick: Ho, Ho, Ho!
Spongebob: Stop it, Patrick! You’re scaring him!
12. Cherish every moment of your life.
SpongeBob: You never really know the true value of a moment, until it becomes a memory.
What do you think was the best SpongeBob quote? Tell us in the comments below!