
John Wayne Quotes Compilation
John Wayne was a famous American movie icon and filmmaker whose acting career flourished during Hollywood’s Golden Age. He has starred in many Western and war movies, becoming one of the greatest American film actors of the 20th century. Up to this day, Wayne remains an icon and role model for many aspiring actors and actresses and even for casual viewers who watched his movies.
Here is a compilation of John Wayne quotes, broken down into different categories.
Table of Contents
John Wayne Movie Quotes
John Wayne was a legendary actor who appeared in over 150 films and television shows throughout his 50-year career. Regardless of whether he played the lead or minor role, it’s no surprise he remains one of the iconic movie stars of all time. Moreover, he performed in many classic Westerns like The Quiet Man, The Searchers, and The Alamo. Hence, his lines continue to find value even decades after its release.
Here are John Wayne movie quotes:
You may need me and this Winchester, Curly
– John Wayne as Ringo Kid
You’re the guy we’re fighting this war for
– John Wayne as Col. Joseph Madden
Get down off them horses. I don’t favor looking up to the likes of you
– John Wayne as Tom Dunson
Never apologize, mister, it’s a sign of weakness
– John Wayne as Nathan Brittles
Any man that doesn’t wanna’ co-operate, I’ll make him wish he hadn’t been born
– John Wayne as Sgt. John M. Stryker
Come on Wildcats, make us proud today
– John Wayne as Maj. Daniel Xavier Kirby
If you say “three”, mister, you’ll never hear the man count ten
– John Wayne as Sean Thornton
Did anyone ever tell you that you’re beautiful when you’re angry?
– John Wayne as as Captain Karl Ehrlich
Is this an invite to a necktie party, Reverend?
– John Wayne as Ethan Edwards
Sorry don’t get it done, Dude
– John Wayne as Sheriff John T. Chance
Ya don’t get lard less’n you boil a hog!
– John Wayne as Davy Crockett
Words are what men live by… words they say and mean.
– John Wayne as Capt. Jake Cutter
You can’t give the enemy a break. Send him to hell
– John Wayne as Lt. Col. Benjamin Vandervoort
Somebody outa belt you in the mouth…but I won’t, I won’t, the hell I won’t
– John Wayne as George Washington McLintock
All battles are fought by scared men who’d rather be some place else.
– John Wayne as Captain ‘Rock’ Torrey
Give this insubordinate son-of-a-bitch every truck and every blanket in the Third Army. And I don’t care who you have to steal them from!
– John Wayne as Gen. Mike Randolph
Out here, due process is a bullet
– John Wayne as Colonel Mike Kirby
You look like the vermin-ridden son of a bitch you are
– John Wayne as Wil Andersen
Mister, you’d better find another line of work. This one sure don’t suit your pistol
– John Wayne as J.B. Books
You take chances, my friend.
– John Wayne as Sheriff John T. Chance
No, a human rides a horse until it dies, then he goes on afoot. A Comanche comes along, gets that horse up, rides him 20 more miles… and then he eats him.
– John Wayne as Ethan Edwards
The bigger the man, the deeper the imprint. And when he’s in love, he suffers knowing it’s a dead end.
– John Wayne as Young Matt
No matter where people go, sooner or later there’s the law. And sooner or later they find God’s already been there.
– John Wayne as John Chisum
I guess, into each life a little rain must fall.
– John Wayne as Sgt. John M. Stryker
A man oughta do what he thinks is best.
– John Wayne as Hondo Lane
Republic. I like the sound of the word… Some words can give you a feeling that makes your heart warm. Republic is one of those words.
– John Wayne as Davy Crockett
He must learn that a man’s word to anything, even his own destruction, is his honor.
– John Wayne as Lt. Col. Kirby York
We brought nothing into this world and it’s certain we can carry nothing out.
– John Wayne as Thomas Dunson
I’ve been called a lot of things, but not ‘comfortable’!
– John Wayne as Cord McNally
We are few, but we are still proud, for if a man loses pride in manhood he is nothing.
– John Wayne as George Washington McLintock
There’ll be no locks or bolts between us, Mary Kate… except those in your own mercenary little heart!
– John Wayne as Sean Thornton
Wayne’s Quotes from True Grit
True Grit became one of the most famous American Western films ever produced. Henry Hathaway directed the movie in 1969, and John Wayne acted as the lead character, Rooster Cogburn, a U.S. Marshall. His portrayal of the cantankerous and fearless Marshall landed him the Academy Award in 1970. The box-office hit movie paved the way for many of the notable movie quotes of John Wayne.
The quotes of John Wayne from True Grit includes the following:
Looking back is a bad habit.
– John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn
You can’t serve papers on a rat, baby sister. You gotta kill him or let him be.
– John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn
LaBoeuf, you get cross ways of me and you’ll think a thousand of brick have fell on you!
– John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn
Baby sister, I was born game and I intend to go out that way.
– John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn
I always try to be ready.
– John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn
Well if I had a big horse pistol like that I wouldn’t be scared of no “boogerman”.
– John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn
Young fella, if you’re looking for trouble, I’ll accommodate you. Otherwise, leave it alone.
– John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn
Backward. I always go backward when I’m backin’ away.
– John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn
I never shot nobody I didn’t have to.
– John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn
Well, a gun that’s unloaded and cocked ain’t good for nothin’.
– John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn
Any man who packs a big bore Sharps carbine could come in mighty handy, if we’re attacked by buffalo… or elephants.
– John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn
You can tell him to his face, you can spit in his eye, you can make him eat sand out of the road, you can shoot him in the foot and I’ll hold him for you – but first we gotta catch him.
– John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn
I ain’t never seen nobody from Texas I couldn’t shade.
– John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn
You look like a hog on ice.
– John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn
You can never tell what’s in a Chinaman’s mind, that’s the way he bests you at cards.
– John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn
Wayne’s Quotes from The Cowboys
John Wayne starred in the American Western Film The Cowboys in 1972. The movie received positive reviews from critics for its outstanding cinematography, musical score, and performance of its actors. It embraced the Western concept so well, and John Wayne’s portrayal of the aging cattleman, Wil Andersen, was one of his finest performances. The excellent script paired with Wayne’s superb delivery made his lines notable to many who search them up to this day.
Here are the quotes from John Wayne in the movie, The Cowboys:
I’m proud of ya… All of ya. Every man wants his children to be better’n he was. You are.
– John Wayne as Wil Andersen
Slap some bacon on a biscuit and let’s go! We’re burnin’ daylight!
– John Wayne as Wil Andersen
Big mouth don’t make a big man.
– John Wayne as Wil Andersen
Well, it’s not how you’re buried, it’s how you’re remembered.
– John Wayne as Wil Andersen
Death can come for ya any place, any time. It’s never welcomed. But if you’ve done all you can do, and it’s your best, in a way I guess you’re ready for it.
– John Wayne as Wil Andersen
Well, whatever I need I’ll get.
– John Wayne as Wil Andersen
Now I don’t hold jail against you, but I hate a liar.
– John Wayne as Wil Andersen
Get off your horse and drink your milk.
– John Wayne as Wil Andersen
Hurry it up. We’re burning daylight.
– John Wayne as Wil Andersen
I wouldn’t make it a habit of calling me that, son.
– John Wayne as Wil Andersen
I’m thirty years older than you are. I had my back broke once, and my hip twice. And on my worst day I could beat the hell out of you.
– John Wayne as Wil Andersen
Sometimes it’s hard to understand the drift of things. This was a good boy. He’d have been a good man. He didn’t get his chance. Death can come for ya any place, any time. It’s never welcomed. But if you’ve done all you can do, and it’s your best, in a way I guess you’re ready for it.
– John Wayne as Wil Andersen
You know, trail driving is not Sunday school picnic. You got to figure you’re dealing with the dumbest oneriest critter on God’s green earth. The cow is nothing but trouble tied up in a leather bag – and the horse ain’t much better.
– John Wayne as Wil Andersen
My oldest son would have been forty this year. Middle aged. But they went bad on me… or I went bad on them.
– John Wayne as Wil Andersen
Your word? Well, here’s my word. Get the hell off my spread, now!
– John Wayne as Wil Andersen
A fool comes to town with a fistful of gold dust, and every jackass from 50 miles around lights out after him.
– John Wayne as Wil Andersen
I like to travel with a man I’m used to.
– John Wayne as Wil Andersen
Wayne’s Quotes About Life
Wayne strived hard to achieve a successful acting career. Aside from shifting into different genres from time to time, he also ventured into the world of film production. Like many other popular entertainment icons, Wayne also faced great successes and failures. Hence, he had spoken several notable quotes about life that are worth remembering.
Check out the quotes of John Wayne about life:
Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we’ve learned something from yesterday.
– John Wayne
A man deserves a second chance, but keep an eye on him.
– Will Rogers
I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends respect me. The others can do whatever the hell they please.
– John Wayne
When you stop fighting, that’s death.
– John Wayne
Life is tough, but it’s tougher if you’re stupid.
– John Wayne
A man’s got to have a code, a creed to live by, no matter his job.
– John Wayne
What’s the secret of success? Right decisions. How do you make right decisions? Experience. How do you get experience? Wrong decisions.
– John Wayne
I’d like to know why the well-educated idiots keep apologizing for lazing and complaining people who think the world owes them a living.
– John Wayne
Never apologize and never explain – it’s a sign of weakness.
– John Wayne
A goal, a love and a dream give you total control over your body and your life.
– John Wayne
Those who like me already know me, and those who don’t like me wouldn’t want to read about me anyway.
– John Wayne
Don’t ever for a minute make the mistake of looking down your nose at westerns.
– John Wayne
You can’t whine and bellyache because somebody else got a good break and you didn’t.
– John Wayne
Words are what men live by… words they say and mean.
– John Wayne
You can take everything a man has as long as you leave him his dignity.
– John Wayne
Life is getting up one more time than you’ve been knocked down.
– John Wayne
John Wayne’s Quotes from The Shootist
The 1976 Western film, The Shootist, revolves around the life of an aging gunfighter diagnosed with cancer. The main character, John Bernard Books, didn’t want a quiet and painful death. Hence, he looked for a way to die with pain and dignity. The movie concluded John Wayne’s acting career, becoming his final film role before succumbing to death caused by stomach cancer.
It was a great movie filled with excellent performances from its entire cast, especially John Wayne. Here are the iconic lines and quotes of John Wayne from the mentioned movie:
I won’t be wronged. I won’t be insulted. I won’t be laid a-hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.
– John Wayne as J.B. Books
Friend, there’s nobody up there shooting back at you. It isn’t always being fast or even accurate that counts. It’s being willing. I found out early that most men, regardless of cause or need, aren’t willing. They blink an eye or draw a breath before they pull the trigger. I won’t.
– John Wayne as J.B. Books
Well, you look just how I remembered the Sweeneys – mean and ugly.
– John Wayne as J.B. Books
I’m a dying man, scared of the dark.
– John Wayne as J.B. Books
Put it in a nutshell? You couldn’t put it in a barrel without a bottom. You’re the longest winded bastard I’ve ever known.
– John Wayne as J.B. Books
Friend, you better get another line of work; this one sure don’t fit your pistol.
– John Wayne as J.B. Books
For that dumbass amateur. There’s always some six-fingered bustard that couldn’t hit a cow in the tit with a tin cup. That’s the one who usually does you in. But Masterson always was full of… sheep-dip
– John Wayne as J.B. Books
Bond, I don’t believe I ever killed a man that didn’t deserve it.
– John Wayne as J.B. Books
What’d stop me? Fear of dying?
– John Wayne as J.B. Books
I’m not going anywhere, Marshal. I’m dying and I intend to die right here.
– John Wayne as J.B. Books
You have a streak of kindness a mile wide.
– John Wayne as J.B. Books
First of all,friend, there’s no one up there shooting back at you. Second, I found most men aren’t willing, they bat an eye, or draw a breath before they shoot. I won’t.
– John Wayne as J.B. Books
Well if I wanted to go around town unnoticed, I wouldn’t carry that around with me.
– John Wayne as J.B. Books
Sometimes it isn’t being fast that counts, or even accurate; but willing. Most men will draw a breath or blink an eye before they shoot. I won’t.
– John Wayne as J.B. Books
You told me I was strong as an ox!
– John Wayne as J.B. Books
Mister, this is my birthday. Gimme the best in the house.
– John Wayne as J.B. Books
I want to go out in the world again and see the trees and the lakes and the hills and the sky.
– John Wayne as J.B. Books
Wayne’s Quotes About Courage
Like most of the characters he portrayed in Western films, Wayne was a courageous man himself. He wasn’t afraid of trying new things nor battling cancer for years. It was as if he embodied the ability to face or withstand fear or danger or simply having courage. Thus, the quotes of John Wayne about courage (as seen below) remain a pearl of classic wisdom that inspires and motivates people of the present age.
Courage is being scared to death… and saddling up anyway.
– John Wayne
All battles are fought by scared men who’d rather be some place else.
– John Wayne
I won’t be wronged. I won’t be insulted. I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people and I require the same from them.
– John Wayne
I’m the stuff men are made of.
– John Wayne
I define manhood simply: men should be tough, fair, and courageous, never petty, never looking for a fight, but never backing down from one either.
– John Wayne
I’m responsible only for what I say, not what you understand.
– John Wayne
When you come against trouble, it’s never half as bad if you face up to it.
– John Wayne
Tomorrow hopes we have learned something from yesterday.
– John Wayne
Everybody that I was in school with had an uncle or father in the law, and I started to realize that I was going to end up writing briefs for about ten years for these fellows who I thought I was smarter than. And I was kind of losing my feeling for that.
– John Wayne
The worst part of it has been, I think, the adverse effect on family life. It kills off family conversation. And it’s harder to get your children to read books. I became a confirmed reader when I was growing up in Glendale. I’ve loved reading all my life. Now I’ve got this daughter, Aissa, a very bright young lady — but it is a hard job to get her to read. Television’s just too easy.
– John Wayne
I’m not the sort to back away from a fight. I don’t believe in shrinking from anything. It’s not my speed; I’m a guy who meets adversities head on.
– John Wayne
You know, pity isn’t for me.
– John Wayne
Don’t pick a fight, but if you find yourself in one I suggest you make damn sure you win.
– John Wayne
When you come slam bang up against trouble, it never looks half as bad if you face up to it.
– John Wayne
Legendary John Wayne Quotes
Wayne was a legendary figure in the Western film industry. He embodied strength, competence, and courage, and he displayed these traits in his acting performances. An American icon and one of today’s favorite screen heroes, his words of wisdom remain legendary quotes in the present day. Among the legendary quotes of John Wayne include:
I suppose my best attribute, if you want to call it that, is sincerity. I can sell sincerity because that’s the way I am.
– John Wayne
Talk low, talk slow and don’t say too much.
– John Wyne
Real art is basic emotion. If a scene is handled with simplicity – and I don’t mean simple – it’ll be good, and the public will know it.
– John Wayne
I was sure I’d set the world on fire, and it was hard for a young feller like me to realize the truth – that I hadn’t set the world on fire, and I was totally unprepared to handle the consequences if ‘The Big Trail’ had been a success and launched me as a star.
– John Wayne
All I’m for is the liberty of the individual.
– John Wayne
In westerns, you meet a hardy bunch of characters. There is no jealousy on such pictures.
– John Wayne
I’d read up on the history of our country and I’d become fascinated with the story of the Alamo. To me it represented the fight for freedom, not just in America, but in all countries.
– John Wayne
When you come to see a picture of mine, I want you to know that I’m not going to do anything that will make you uncomfortable. I want you to know that you won’t be disappointed in me.
– John Wayne
I never have really become accustomed to the ‘John.’ Nobody ever really calls me John… I’ve always been Duke or Marion or John Wayne. It’s a name that goes well together, and it’s like one word – John Wayne.
– John Wayne
All the screen cowboys behaved like real gentlemen. They didn’t drink, they didn’t smoke. When they knocked the bad guy down, they always stood with their fists up, waiting for the heavy to get back on his feet. I decided I was going to drag the bad guy to his feet and keep hitting him.
– John Wayne
Nothing is so discouraging to an actor than to have to work for long hours upon hours in brightly lighted interior sets.
– John Wayne
I was ashamed to admit I was hipped to the idea of acting. That’s why I started in with the props.
– John Wayne
Nobody should come to the movies unless he believes in heroes.
– John Wayne
In my acting, I have to identify with something in the character. The big tough boy on the side of right — that’s me.
– John Wayne
You’re short on ears and long on mouth.
– John Wayne
I’ve always followed my father’s advice: he told me, first to always keep my word and, second, to never insult anybody unintentionally. If I insult you, you can be goddamn sure I intend to. And, third, he told me not to go around looking for trouble.
– John Wayne
A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.
– John Wayne
I would like to be remembered, well … the Mexicans have a phrase, “Feo fuerte y formal”. Which means he was ugly, strong and had dignity.
– John Wayne
Government has no wealth, and when a politician promises to give you something for nothing, he must first confiscate that wealth from you — either by direct taxes, or by the cruelly indirect tax of inflation.
– John Wayne
Best John Wayne Quotes
Aside from his iconic movie lines and commendable character portrayals, Wayne also said some wise and motivational words throughout his life. These became quotes many people look up to, especially since he had a vast experience and broad look in life. Here is the compilation of the best quotes of John Wayne:
I do think we have a pretty wonderful country, and I thank God that He chose me to live here.
– John Wayne
I play John Wayne in every picture regardless of the character, and I’ve been doing all right, haven’t I?
– John Wayne
I’ve always had deep faith that there is a Supreme Being, there has to be.
– John Wayne
There must be some higher power or how else does all this stuff work?
– John Wayne
I’m very conscious that people criticize Hollywood. Yet we’ve created a form, the Western, that can be understood in every country.
– John Wayne
If everything isn’t black and white, I say, ‘Why the hell not?
– John Wayne
My hope and prayer is that everyone know and love our country for what she really is and what she stands for.
– John Wayne
We’re burnin’ daylight.
– John Wayne
It’s getting to be ri-goddamn-diculous.
– John Wayne
If you’ve got them by the balls their hearts and minds will follow.
– John Wayne
Thanking people is dangerous business. A name always slips your mind.
– John Wayne
I don’t feel we did wrong in taking this great country away from them. There were great numbers of people who needed new land, and the Indians were selfishly trying to keep it for themselves.
– John Wayne
I would think somebody like Jane Fonda and her idiot husband would be terribly ashamed and saddened that they were a part of causing us to stop helping the South Vietnamese. Now look what’s happening. They’re getting killed by the millions. Murdered by the millions. How the hell can she and her husband sleep at night?
– John Wayne
The hyphenated American is ridiculous. But that’s what we have to put up with. I think that any person that’s in the United States is better off here than they would be where they came from.
– John Wayne
Just one more question, Pilgrim. How far up your ass do you want my boot?
– John Wayne
Seen better fights than this at a prayer meeting.
– John Wayne
Famous John Wayne Quotes
Wayne was one of the most famous American movie actors of the 20th century. Hence, it’s no surprise how his film lines and words of wisdom grew in popularity no matter what their subject is. These famous quotes and one-liners continue to thrive in today’s time that even the younger generation know Wayne’s words.
Yes sir. But if you’re wrong don’t ever give me another (order).
– John Wayne
Figure a man’s only good for one oath at a time; I took mine to the Confederate States of America.
– John Wayne
It takes a good fire to burn down the weeds… to let the flowers grow.
– John Wayne
The Sioux once raided into Apache territory. Old-timers told me you can follow the line of their retreat by the bones of their dead.
– John Wayne
Half the people in the world are women. Why does it have to be you that stirs me?
– John Wayne
Don’t try to win this war all by yourself.
– John Wayne
Well, there are some things a man just can’t run away.
– John Wayne
Well, I guess you can’t break out of prison and into society in the same week.
– John Wayne
I don’t know much about the law. Ain’t had much book learning. But the good Lord gave me a nose for smelling a horse thief a mile off. And what you need in these parts is a marshal that’s better at smelling than spelling.
– John Wayne
I know, I know. I’m gonna use good judgement. I haven’t lost my temper in forty years, but pilgrim you caused a lot of trouble this morning, might have got somebody killed… and somebody oughta belt you in the mouth. But I won’t, I won’t….
– John Wayne
More Quotes from Wayne’s Movies and Personal Life
People of today will learn a lot from the quotes of John Wayne, whether taken from his movie or life, as they remain relevant in our time. For example, his movie and personal life quotes cover various topics such as bravery and masculinity, with one-liners touching his humorous side. For reference, here are more of his quotes:
A man ought to do what he thinks is right.
– John Wayne
There’s right and there’s wrong. Y’gotta do one or the other, do the other and you may be walking around, but you’re dead as a beaver hat.
– John Wayne
When the road looks rough ahead, remember the ‘Man upstairs’ and the word hope. Hang onto both and ‘tough it out’.
– John Wayne
You have to be a man before you can be a gentleman.
– John Wayne
True grit is making a decision and standing by it, doing what must be done.
– John Wayne
Sure I love my country with all her faults. I’m not ashamed of that, never have been, never will be.
– John Wayne
Guess I’m in so deep now I can’t back out–but the Old Duke’s not happy.
– John Wayne
Play it like the Old Man says, fer Christ’s sake, an’ you’ll be noticed in the goddam picture!
– John Wayne
You can bet I called him every kind of an old bastard.
– John Wayne
What are they trying to do, bury me? Tell them to forget it. I’ve just got my second wind.
– John Wayne
How can you play a part like that? There’s so few of us left. We got to play strong, tough characters.
– John Wayne
What the hell. It may be highway robbery, but it serves the bastard right.
– John Wayne
I don’t care what that kid woulda’ done, I don’t shoot anyone in the back.
– John Wayne
The girl’s so new to the business she doesn’t realize what a break she got.
– John Wayne
United Artists insisted on Richard Widmark. I thought he was wrong for the part. I was wrong. He was magnificent.
– John Wayne
Ford never respected me as an actor until I made Red River.
– John Wayne
He had a style of acting that has now become the way of acting in our business.
– John Wayne
You should have seen her up on those mountain locations. She climbed right up on those horses and gave em’ hell.
– John Wayne
The last player to arrive, an hour late, a dollar short, one pocket torn, and a gin bottle hanging out of the other.
– John Wayne
When I die, I want Ann-Margret to dance on my coffin. If you don’t see me in five minutes, you’ll know I’m dead for sure.
– John Wayne
Out here a man settles his own problems.
– John Wayne
When I was a sophomore at USC, I was a socialist, pretty much to the left. But not when I left the university. I quickly got wise. I’d read about what had happened to Russia in 1917 when the Communists took over.
– John Wayne
Get off your butt and join the Marines!
– John Wayne
My folks always let me go to the movies every Saturday. We were really motion-picture goers.
– John Wayne
Don’t say it’s a fine morning or I’ll shoot ya.
– John Wayne
You tangle with me, I’ll have your hide.
– John Wayne
Give the American people a good cause, and there’s nothing they can’t lick.
– John Wayne
I couldn’t go to sleep at night if the director didn’t yell, ‘Cut!
– John Wayne
I don’t care if I never sell another ticket at the box office if it helps some other guy get a check-up and be as lucky as I was.
– John Wayne
I never trust a man that doesn’t drink.
– John Wayne
I am an old-fashioned honest-to-goodness flag-waving patriot.
– John Wayne
You know, they may find a cure for cancer, even without your help, but if I were you, I wouldn’t bet my life on it.
– John Wayne
All I do is sell sincerity and I’ve been selling the hell out of that since I started.
– John Wayne
I can’t sing or dance but I can go to the hospitals and give them something to write home about.
– John Wayne
American motion-picture actor John Wayne embodied the image of strength and courage, especially during his acting career. Aside from his achievements, he also endured criticisms, faced controversies, and battled cancer. His ups and downs shaped him into becoming one of the best Hollywood stars of all time, whose words continue to touch people’s lives.