Jane Darwell Quotes

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.

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.

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

Ma Joad Tom, there's a whole lot I don't understand. But goin away ain't gonna ease us. There was a time we was on the land. There was a boundary to us then. Old folks died off and little fellars come. We was always one thing. We was the family. Kind of whole and clear. But now we ain't clear no more. There ain't nothin that keeps us clear. Al - he's a-hankerin to be off on his own and Uncle John's just draggin around. Your Pa's lost his place, he ain't the head no more. We're crackin up, Tom. We ain't no family now. And Rosesharn - she's gonna have her baby, but it won't have no family. I've been a-tryin to keep her goin but ...and Winfield, what's he gonna be this a-way? Grown up wild, and Ruthie too! Just like animals. Got nothin to trust. Don't go, Tom. Stay and help! Help me!