23 quotes
Awareness of Public Opinion in Journalism
Dutton Peabody
I'd be a poor newspaperman indeed if I didn't know what everybody else knows!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Conscience of Shinbone
Dutton Peabody
No! No! No you don't! No! I... I'm a newspaperman, not a politician! No, politicians are my meat - I build em up and I tear em down but I wouldn't be one I couldn't be one - it'd destroy me - gimme a...
[protesting his nomination to the statehood convention]
Tom Doniphon
Bar's closed.
Dutton Peabody
Good people of Shinbone, I... I... I'm your conscience - I'm the still, small voice that thunders in the night. I'm your watchdog that howls against the wolves! I'm - I'm your father confessor! I... I... I'm... what else am I?
Tom Doniphon
Town drunk?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Limits of Law in the Real World
Tom Doniphon
I know those law books mean a lot to you, but not out here. Out here a man settles his own problems.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation Among Townsfolk Over Emergencies
Link Appleyard
Mr. Peabody's awful hurt and he needs you bad over at his office.
Liberty Valance
What's the matter, Mr. Marshal? Somebody have an accident?
Doc Willoughby
So that's it, another one of your accidents', huh Valance? I'm looking forward to the day when it's you they'll be calling me for.
Liberty Valance
Paid in advance.
[tossing Doc a silver dollar]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Cautionary Reminder to Proceed Carefully
Tom Doniphon
Whoa, take'er easy there, Pilgrim.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Unsteady Hand Reveals Truth
Dutton Peabody
The unsteady hand betrays.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Legend vs. Fact in the West
Ransom Stoddard
You're not going to use the story, Mr. Scott?
Maxwell Scott
No, sir. This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Toughness Defined in the Picketwire Region
Tom Doniphon
Liberty Valance's the toughest man south of the Picketwire - next to me.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Emergency Response to Liberty's Injury
Floyd
It's Liberty! He - he's hurt!
Floyd
It's Liberty.
Doc Willoughby
Whiskey, quick.
Person on street
Here, sir.
Doc Willoughby
Dead.
[takes a drink, turns Valance's body over with his foot]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Courage and Redemption in Challenging Times
Dutton Peabody
Liberty Valance defeated. D-E-F-E-E... T-E-D? The unsteady hand betrays. What's the matter, Mr. Peabody? Are you afraid? The answer is indub... yes. No courage left. Well, courage can be purchased at yon tavern. But have we credit? That is the question. Have we credit? Well, credit is cheap. Wait for me, old servant of the public weal. Our shining hour is yet to come. As for you, ], go west, old man, and grow young with the country.
[Finding his liquor jug empty; [Horace Greeley]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Finding Doc Willoughby for Help
Tom Doniphon
Pompey, go find Doc Willoughby. If he's sober, bring him back.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Rise of Law and Order
Tom Doniphon
Well, now; I wonder what scared em off?
[after facing down Valance]
Dutton Peabody
You know what scared em - the spectacle of law and order here, risin up out of the gravy and the mashed potatoes.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Choice Between Safety and Danger
Liberty Valance
You got a choice, Dishwasher. Either you get out of town, or tonight you be out on that street alone. You be there, and don't make us come and get you.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Nature of True Drinking
Dutton Peabody
A beer’s not drinking.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Advice on Defending Aspirations
Tom Doniphon
Ransom Stoddard, At... torney at Law You're a persistent cuss, pilgrim. You really aim to hang that up outside somewhere?
[reading Ransom Stoddard's shingle]
Ransom Stoddard
That's why I painted it.
Tom Doniphon
Well, take some advice, pilgrim. You put that thing up, you'll have to defend it with a gun... and you ain't exactly the type.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Conflict Over a Steak in the West
Tom Doniphon
That's my steak, Valance.
[Valance has tripped Rance in the diner, causing him to spill a tray of food]
Liberty Valance
You heard him, Dude. Pick it up.
[laughing]
Ransom Stoddard
No!
Tom Doniphon
Pilgrim, hold it. I said you, Valance; you pick it up.
Liberty Valance
Three against one, Doniphon.
Tom Doniphon
My boy, Pompey; kitchen door.
Floyd
I'll get it, Liberty!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confronting Excessive Reflection and Responsibility
Tom Doniphon
You talk too much, think too much. Besides, YOU didn't kill Liberty Valance.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Tom Doniphon comments on a woman's interest.
Tom Doniphon
Well, Pompey, looks like we got ourselves a ladies man!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Price of Justice and Consequences
Jason Tully
Nothing's too good for the man who shot Liberty Valance.
Maj. Cassius Starbuckle
What kind of lawyer is he? He takes the law into his own hands. He has blood on his hands. The mark of Cain is on this man.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation Between Liberty Valance and Tom Doniphon
Liberty Valance
You lookin for trouble, Doniphon?
Tom Doniphon
You aim to help me find some?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Fundamental Laws of Democracy Discussed at Bar
Dutton Peabody
I'll have the usual, Jack.
[during voting for the territorial convention]
Jack, Barman
The bar is closed, Mister Editor, during voting.
Dutton Peabody
Bar's closed?
Tom Doniphon
You can blame your lawyer friend. He says that's one of the "Fundamental laws of democracy." No exception.
Dutton Peabody
No exceptions for the working press? Why, that's carrying democracy much too far!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Life in a Broken Jail Cell
Link Appleyard
The jail's only got one cell, and the lock's broke and I sleep in it.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Importance of Companionship in the West
Tom Doniphon
It ain’t mannerly, out West, let a fella drink by himself.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.