The Devil and Daniel Webster

Now, Jabez Stone, as for what you're calling hard luck, we made New England out of it. That and cod fish.

The Devil and Daniel Webster (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Jabez Stone: What does it mean here, about my soul? Mr. Scratch: Why should that worry you? A soul? A soul is nothing. Can you see it, smell it, touch it? No. This soul, your soul, are nothing against seven years of good luck. You'll have money and all that money can buy.

The Devil and Daniel Webster (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Mary Stone: Give me the book, Ma. I'm going to read us something cheerful from the book of Ruth. That is, if you don't mind changing the lesson. Ma Stone: Land sakes, I don't mind. I never did hold much with Job, even if he is scripture. Took on too much to suit me. Course I don't want to malign the man; but he always sounded to me like he come from Massachusetts.

The Devil and Daniel Webster (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Jabez Stone: You promised me happiness, love, and friendship! Mr. Scratch: Just a minute. I promised you money and all that money could buy. I don't recall any other obligations.

The Devil and Daniel Webster (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Jabez Stone: Money's a funny thing ain't it, Ma? Ma Stone: I figure it depends a mite on how you get it and how you spend it. Jabez Stone: But I don't spend any. Ma Stone: But you should, son. That's all it's good for. Jabez Stone: Do you really think that? Ma Stone: That's just common sense. Now a man like Daniel Webster: guess they pay him high for what he does, but he's worth it. And he helps others... makes all the difference. Jabez Stone: I know. But suppose a man got his money in bad ways? Ma Stone: Wouldn't profit him none. You see, son: I'm old and I've lived. When a man gets his money in bad way... when he sees the better course and takes the worse... then the devil's in his heart. And that fixes him. Jabez Stone: And yet... a man could change all that couldn't he? Ma Stone: A man can always change things. That's what makes him different from the barnyard critters.

The Devil and Daniel Webster (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Daniel Webster: How long do we have to wait? Jabez Stone: 'Til midnight. Daniel Webster: Oh, that's fine - then we have time to christen a jug. Old Medford rum: aahh, there's nothing like it. You know, somehow or other, waiting becomes wonderfully shorter with a jug. I saw an inchworm once take a drop of this and he stood right up on his hind legs and bit a bee! [chuckles and takes a drink] Will you have a nip? Jabez Stone: No, there's no joy in it for me. Daniel Webster: Oh, come, come now. Just because you sold your soul to the devil that needn't make you a teetotaler.

The Devil and Daniel Webster (film), CC BY-SA 4.0