Quotes

Condemned men

Repentant condemned man: [sobbing] Ladies and gentlemen, beware, and train up your children in the way that they should go. You see what has become of me because of drink. I killed a man in a trifling quarrel over a pocket knife! If I had received good instruction as a child … I would be with my wife and children today. I do not know what is to become of them, but I hope and pray that you will not slight them and compel them to go into the low company! Unrepentant condemned man: Well, I killed the wrong man is the which of why I'm here. Had I killed the man I meant to, I don't believe I'd have been convicted. I see men out there in that crowd that's worse than me. [to executioner] Okay. Condemned Indian: Before I am hanged, I would like to say— [executioner places hood over his head]

Dialogue

Rooster Cogburn: The jakes is occupied. Mattie Ross: I know it is occupied, Mr. Cogburn. As I said, I have business with you. Rooster: I have prior business. Mattie: You have been at it for quite some time, Mr. Cogburn. Rooster: There is no clock on my business! To hell with you! How did you stalk me here? Mattie: The sheriff told me to look in the saloon. In the saloon they referred me here. We must talk. Rooster: Women ain't allowed in the saloon! Mattie: I was not there as a customer. I am fourteen years old. Rooster: [long pause] The jakes is occupied, and will be for some time.

Dialogue

Col. Stonehill: I will pay two hundred and twenty-five dollars and keep the grey horse. I don't want the ponies. Mattie Ross: I cannot accept that. There will be no settlement after I leave this office. It will go to law— Col. Stonehill: All right! This is my last offer: two hundred and fifty dollars. For that, I get the release previously discussed and I keep your father's saddle. The grey horse is not yours to sell! Mattie: The saddle is not for sale. I will keep it. Lawyer Dagget will prove ownership of the grey horse. He will come after you with a writ of replevin.

Dialogue

Prosecutor: [questioning Cogburn about the shoot-out with the Wharton family] What did you do then? Rooster Cogburn: Well, I backed away from the axe and tried to talk some sense into him [Aaron Wharton]. While this is going on, C.C., he edges over to the wash pot there behind the steam and picks up the shotgun. Potter seen him, but it was too late. C.C. Wharton pulled out on Potter with one barrel and turned to do the same for me and I shot him. The old man raised the axe and I shot him. Otis lit out and I shot him. [pause] C.C. Wharton and Aaron Wharton were dead when they hit the ground. Otis was just winged. Defense Lawyer: I believe you testified you backed away from Aaron Wharton. Rooster: That's right. Defense Lawyer: Which direction were you going? Rooster: I always go backwards when I'm backing up!

Dialogue

Defense Lawyer: Mister Cogburn, in your four years as US Marshal, how many men have you shot? Rooster Cogburn: Shot? Or killed? Defense Lawyer: Let us restrict it to killed, so we may have a manageable figure!

Dialogue

LaBoeuf: I've just come from Yell County. Mattie Ross: We have no rodeo clowns in Yell County. LaBoeuf: A saucy line will not get you far with me.

Dialogue

LaBoeuf: You give out very little sugar with your pronouncements. While I sat there watchin' I gave some thought to stealin' a kiss, though you are very young, and sick, and unattractive to boot. But now I have a mind to give you five or six good licks with my belt. Mattie Ross: One would be just as unpleasant as the other.

Dialogue

LaBoeuf: You are getting ready to show your ignorance now, Cogburn. I don't mind a little personal chaffing but I won't hear anything against the Ranger troop from a man like you. Rooster Cogburn: How long have you boys been mounted on sheep down there? LaBoeuf: My white Appaloosa will be galloping when that big American stud of yours is winded and collapsed. Now make another joke about it. You are only trying to put on a show for this girl Mattie with what you must think is a keen tongue. Rooster: This is like women talking. LaBoeuf: Yes, that is the way! Make me out foolish in this girl's eyes. Rooster: I think she has got you pretty well figured.

Dialogue

Rooster Cogburn: We'll sleep here and follow in the morning. Mattie Ross: But we promised to bury the poor soul inside! Rooster: Ground's too hard. Them men wanted a decent burial, they should have got themselves killed in summer.

Dialogue

LaBoeuf: I was within three hundred yards of Chelmsford once. The closest I have been. With a Sharp's carbine that is within range, but I was mounted and had the choice of firing off-hand or dismounting to shoot from rest, which would allow Chelmsford to augment the distance. I fired mounted...and fired wide. Rooster Cogburn: You cannot hit a man three hundred yards if your gun was resting on Gibraltar. LaBoeuf: The Sharp's carbine is an instrument of uncanny power and precision. Rooster Cogburn: Oh, I've no doubt that the gun is sound.

Dialogue

Lucky Ned Pepper: What is your intention, Rooster? You think one on four is a dogfall? Rooster Cogburn: I mean to kill you in one minute, Ned, or see you hanged in Fort Smith at Judge Parker's convenience. Which will you have? Ned: I call that bold talk for a one-eyed fat man! Rooster: Fill your hand, you son-of-a-bitch!

Dialogue

Mattie Ross: If I had killed Chaney, I would not be in this fix, but my gun misfired. Lucky Ned Pepper: [Chuckling] They will do it. It will embarrass you every time. Most girls like to play pretties, but you like guns, do you? Mattie: I do not care a thing about guns. If I did, I would have one that worked.