Principle of Retribution in Community Dialogue
Villager:
An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth!
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Wit and Wisdom in Family Dynamics
Perchik:
Your daughter has a quick and witty tongue.
Tevye:
Yes, the wit she gets from me. As the good book says...
Golde:
The good book can wait, get washed!
Tevye:
The tongue she gets from her mother.
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The Nature of Teaching and Recognition
Perchik:
I'm a very good teacher.
Hodel:
I heard that the Rabbi who must congratulate himself has a congregation of one.
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A Toast to Friendship and Respect
Lazar Wolfe:
Have a drink?
Tevye:
I won't insult you by saying no.
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Cultural Differences Highlighted in Humor
Tevye:
Thank you, your honor. You are a good man. If I may say so, it's too bad you're not a Jew.
Constable: [laughs]
That's what I like about you, Tevye. You're always joking.
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Unexpected Compliments Across Cultural Divides
Constable:
You're an honest, decent person. Even though you are a Jew.
Tevye:
Oh... Thank you, your honor. How often does a man get a compliment like that?
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The Misunderstanding of a Cow's Name
Tevye:
Pardon me, Lazar Wolfe, but how can a little cow keep you company?
Lazar Wolfe:
Little Cow"?! is that what you call her?!
Tevye:
What else am I to call her? She is a cow!
Lazar Wolfe:
What are you talking about?
Tevye:
No, what are you talking about?
Lazar Wolfe:
No, what are you talking about?
Tevye:
No, what are you talking about?
Lazar Wolfe:
No, what are you talking about?
Tevye:
The new milk cow you want to buy from me!
Lazar Wolfe: [bursts out laughing]
A milk cow! A milk cow so I won't be lonely!
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Communication Gap Between Family Members
Lazar Wolfe:
How is your brother-in-law? In America?
Tevye:
Oh, he's doing very well.
Lazar Wolfe:
Oh, he wrote you?
Tevye:
No, not lately.
Lazar Wolfe:
Then how do you know?
Tevye:
If he was doing badly, he would write.
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The Irony of Wealth and Misfortune
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Misattributed Quotes in a Conversation
Tevye:
As Abraham said, "I am a stranger in a strange land...
Mendel:
Moses said that.
Tevye:
Ah. Well, as King David said, "I am slow of speech, and slow of tongue.
Mendel:
That was also Moses.
Tevye:
For a man who was slow of tongue, he talked a lot.
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Wealth and Justice in a Changing World
Perchik:
In this world it is the wealthy who are criminals. Someday their wealth will be ours.
Tevye:
That would be nice. If they would agree, I would agree.
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Reflections on Time and Growing Up
Tevye: [singing]
Is this the little girl I carried? Is this the little boy at play?
Golde: [singing]
I don't remember growing older. When did they?
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Interpretation of a Quotation's Meaning
Tevye:
As the good book says, when a poor man eats a chicken, one of them is sick.
Mendel:
Where does the book say that?
Tevye:
Well, it doesn't say that exactly, but somewhere there is something about a chicken. Good Sabbath!
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Changing Times and Aspirations in Conversation
Hodel: [to Tevye]
The world is changing, Papa.
Fyedka: [introducing himself to Chava]
I'm a pleasant fellow - charming, honest, ambitious, quite bright, and very modest.
Hodel:
We only have one Rabbi, and he only has one son. Why shouldn't I want the best?
Motel:
If the rich could hire others to die for them, we, the poor, would all make a nice living.
Motel:
Even a poor tailor is entitled to some happiness!
Motel:
You'll all chatter yourselves away into the grave.
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The Cycle of Generations in Families
Yente:
From such children, come other children!
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Gender Perspectives in Fiddler on the Roof
Yente:
Not everyone is a man!
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The Blessing of Children in Old Age
Yente:
Ah, children, they are your blessing in your old age. But of course my Aaron couldn't give me children. Between you and me, Golde, he hardly tried.
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The Fragile Nature of Human Respect
Yente:
If God lived on earth, people would break His windows.
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Struggle Between Faith and Personal Beliefs
Tevye:
On the other hand, how can I turn my back on my faith, my people? If I try and bend that far, I'll break. On the other hand... No. There is no other hand.
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The Paradox of Poverty and Abundance
Tevye:
As the good book says, when a poor man eats a chicken, one of them is sick.
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A Call to Action for the Children
Tevye: [Last lines]
All right, children. Let's go.
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Questioning Boundaries and Tradition
Tevye: [to God]
Am I bothering You too much? I'm sorry. As the good book says... aaahh, why should I tell You what the Good Book says?
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Tevye Asserts His Authority in the Family
Tevye: [looks inside Motel's house for barely a second]
Golde, I am the man in the family! I am the head of the house! And I want to see Motel's new machine now! Now let's go home!
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Tevye's Expression of Anger
Tevye:
When I get angry, even flies don't dare to fly!
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The Challenge of Different Love in Tradition
Tevye: [to Chava]
As the Good Book says "Each shall seek his own kind". In other words, a bird may love a fish... but where would they build a home together?
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Questioning Divine Favor and Human Struggle
Tevye: [to God]
I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't You choose someone else?
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Consequences of Actions According to Tevye
Tevye:
As the Good Book says, if you spit in the air, it lands in your face.
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Desire for Wealth Amidst Poverty
Tevye: [to God]
It may sound like I'm complaining, but I'm not. After all, with Your help, I'm starving to death. Oh, dear Lord. You made many many poor people. I realize, of course, it's no shame to be poor... but it's no great honor either. So what would be so terrible... if I had a small fortune?
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Tevye's Reflection on Divine Mischief
Tevye: [to God]
Sometimes I wonder, when it gets too quiet up there, if You are thinking, "What kind of mischief can I play on My friend Tevye?
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The Importance of Tradition in Life
Tevye:
Traditions, traditions. Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as... as... as a fiddler on the roof!
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The Importance of Tradition in Anatevka
Tevye:
Because of our traditions, we have kept our balance for many, many years. Here in Anatevka, we have traditions for everything: how to how to eat, how to sleep, how to wear clothes. For instance, we always keep our heads covered, and always wear a little prayer-shawl. This shows our constant devotion to God. You may ask, how did this tradition start? I'll tell you. I don't know. But it's a tradition. And because of our traditions, every one of us knows who he is, and what God expects him to do.
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The Importance of Tradition in Anatevka
Tevye: [Opening lines]
A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no? But, here, in our little village of Anatevka, every one of us is a fiddler on the roof trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck. It isn't easy. You may ask, why do we stay here if it's so dangerous? We stay because Anatevka is our home. And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word: Tradition!
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