It could be argued that the man known as Max Rockatansky was not cut out for life in a post-apocalyptic world. While his survival skills and ruthlessness helped him survive when humanity took a nosedive, it was all due to his fragile mental state. Already showing signs of cracking well into the early stages of the world's downfall, Max was driven over the edge when a biker gang murdered his wife and child.

Following those events, Max took vengeance on those responsible, but it left him a broken, burnt-out man with nothing truly to live for. As the world descended more fully into chaos, Max would strike out on his own, occasionally crossing paths with other humans and aiding them (albeit reluctantly). Here's 10 of the most hard-hitting quotes that he has ever uttered across the Mad Max film series.

10

"I'm Scared, Fifi. You Know Why? It's That Rat Circus Out There, I'm Beginning To Enjoy It. Look, Any Longer Out On That Road And I'm One Of Them, Ya Know? A Terminal Crazy, Except I've Got A Bronze Badge That Says I'm One Of The Good Guys."

A lot of foreshadowing took place when Max uttered this quote in the original Mad Max. As the world descended further into chaos and lawlessness, Max was subjected to a level of violence and mayhem that he'd never before been accustomed to. Eventually, it started permeating his very soul, and he began feeling comfortable with it.

His self-awareness level is to be commended however, especially when he remarks at the fact that he may soon turn into the same kind of crazy person as the criminals on the road, but with a badge to justify it.

9

"Thing Is, Jess...I Couldn't Tell Him About It Then, But I Can Tell You About It Now. I Don't Wanna' Wait 10 Years To Tell Ya How I'm Feeling About Ya Right Now, Do You Know That?"

After Max and his family decide to go on vacation following the Goose's death, he finally has a chance to focus on what matters, instead of the chaos and lawlessness of the road. While enjoying some R&R with Jessie, the two decide to relax in the middle of the afternoon in a field.

There, Max tells a story about how he looked up to his father when he was little, and was proud of him. Even then, he had trouble expressing his feelings, but marrying Jessie has finally allowed him to express them. It's a sad moment in the film, as it shows Max taking healthy steps towards psychological betterment, right before his family is murdered.

8

"The Chain In Those Handcuffs Is High-Tensile Steel. It'd Take You Ten Minutes To Hack Through It With This. Now, If You're Lucky, You Can Hack Through Your Ankle In Five Minutes. Go."

Max snapped after his wife and child were ruthlessly run down and murdered by Toecutter and his gang, and his personal vendetta was swift and harsh. After taking out the gang, Max goes after its only remaining survivor, Johnny.

It's a pivotal moment in the film, when Max indulges in the sadism he was afraid he'd start to enjoy, by cuffing Johnny's ankle to a wrecked car and rigging a slow-delay explosion. He hands Johnny a hacksaw and gives him a choice, before driving off without a care.

7

"The Deal Was I Wouldn't Kill You. I Reckon You Got A Bargain, Don't You?"

After the events of the first film, Max had turned into a cold, bitter, and resentful misanthrope who was only interested in survival - not comradeship. After overpowering the Gyro Captain, the two strike a deal through which he would show Max a nearby heavily guarded oil refinery.

When the Gryo Captain tells Max that he would let him go after he showed him the gas, Max corrects him with this quote, which is both chilling and intimidating, at the same time. It would serve as the basis for his character through Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior.