Atticus Finch

"I'm simply defending a Negro—his name's Tom Robinson."

"I maintained a rigid position on that subject until the facts showed I was wrong."

"It's coming back to you now, isn't it? But you weren't expecting it, were you, Mrs. Mayella?"

"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand—a man with a gun is often the man who is most afraid."

"This case, Tom, is as simple as black and white."

"I'm no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the American judicial system; it's no doubt perfect."

"Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."

"Scout, I have to tell you something.—I'm going to be on the losing side, but I want to go there without bitterness."

"I think I'll be a clown when I get grown," I said."Why, think of the joy you could spread."

"It's not time to worry yet," said Atticus. "We haven't even started yet."

"I'm colorblind. I don't see colors. I see people," Atticus said firmly, though I didn't think he meant it literally."

"Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and win."