Explore 100+ Iconic Quotes from 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

Harper Lee’s "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a monumental work that tackles themes of racial injustice and moral development, narrated through the eyes of young Scout Finch. This article curates some of the most insightful quotes from the book, organized under ten thoughtful subtitles. Each quote exemplifies profound lessons on empathy, courage, morality, and the loss of innocence. Whether you’re revisiting the novel or exploring it for the first time, these quotes illuminate the narrative’s timeless wisdom. Enjoy how these excerpts from Lee's masterpiece continue to resonate in today's social context and inspire introspection in every reader. Dive into the journey of understanding human nature and societal issues as reflected through the eyes of the unforgettable characters from Maycomb, Alabama.

Quotes on Justice

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view."

"The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."

"Atticus, he was real nice." "Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them."

"It's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you."

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

"Men on trial for their lives are entitled to the full protection of the law."

"The worst crime you can commit is injustice."

"The jury could not possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson’s word against the Ewells’."

"There’s a lot of ugly things in this world, son. I wish I could keep ‘em all away from you."

"Every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally."

"In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins."

"Before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself."

Quotes on Empathy

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view."

"Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."

"I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks."

"People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for."

"There's a lot of ugly things in this world, I wish I could keep ‘em all away from you."

"Atticus, he was real nice." "Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them."

"Naw, Jem, I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks."

"Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy."

"People in their right minds never take pride in their talents."

"I’d rather you shoot at tin cans in the back yard."

"Courage is not a man with a gun in his hand."

"Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy."

Quotes on Courage

"It’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name."

"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."

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

"Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit ‘em."

"Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets."

"Courage is not a man with a gun in his hand."

"You rarely win, but sometimes you do."

"The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience."

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view."

"We’re paying the highest tribute you can pay a man."

"I’m much older than you, and so I’m going to tell this one time: stop acting like you're one of them."

"Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy."

Quotes on Racism

"In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins."

"There’s something in our world that makes men lose their heads—they couldn’t be fair if they tried."

"The jury couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson’s word against the Ewells'."

"Usually the person guilty is the one you least suspect."

"White people wouldn't understand."

"They’re perfectly willing to let him drop his trousers without punishment."

"No, Neighbor, no Negro is, but I do know that every man’s hands should be clean."

"The man had to have some kind of comeback, and he’ll box me into a corner every time if there’s any business attached to it."

"I’m thinking of tomorrow's lunch, where we’ll eat together in peace."

"I'm scared, Miss Scout. There's comin' a day and they ain't gonna be no fireman to save us."

"They hate so much they have to invent a reason for it."

"The only thing we’ve got is a black man’s voice against the Ewells."

Quotes on Childhood

"When a child asks you something, answer him."

"Atticus, he was real nice."

"Most people are, when you finally see them."

"People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for."

"I think there’s only one kind of folks."

"Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man."

"As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life."

"It’s bad children, like you, who bring men down."

"Kids say the darndest things."

"They were loaded simply by listening to their emotions—which wasn’t constructive when men were discussing advanced problems."

"Don’t worry, Scout, it ain’t the end of the world."

"You’ve got to grow up some time, you’re worried enough to be mature by the time you’re thirteen."

Quotes on Morality

"Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy."

"The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience."

"There’s something in our world that makes men lose their heads—they couldn’t be fair if they tried."

"Before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself."

"People in their right minds never take pride in their talents."

"I’d rather you shoot at tin cans in the back yard."

"Usually the person guilty is the one you least suspect."

"As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life."

"White people wouldn’t understand."

"Shoot all the bluejays you want."

"The worst crime you can commit is injustice."

"Men on trial for their lives are entitled to the full protection of the law."

Quotes on Family

"Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy."

"Atticus, he was real nice."

"Most people are, when you finally see them."

"When a child asks you something, answer him."

"People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for."

"Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man."

"As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life."

"Usually the person guilty is the one you least suspect."

"Don’t worry, Scout, it ain’t the end of the world."

"You’ve got to grow up some time, you’re worried enough to be mature by the time you’re thirteen."

"There’s something in our world that makes men lose their heads."

"I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man."

Quotes on Social Issues

"The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience."

"There’s something in our world that makes men lose their heads—they couldn’t be fair if they tried."

"In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins."

"The jury couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson’s word against the Ewells'."

"They hate so much they have to invent a reason for it."

"Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets."

"I’m thinking of tomorrow's lunch, where we’ll eat together in peace."

"Usually the person guilty is the one you least suspect."

"Men on trial for their lives are entitled to the full protection of the law."

"Shoot all the blue jays you want."

"The worst crime you can commit is injustice."

"Before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself."

Quotes on Perspective

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view."

"Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."

"People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for."

"Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets."

"Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy."

"In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins."

"The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience."

"Atticus, he was real nice." "Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them."

"Naw, Jem, I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks."

"You rarely win, but sometimes you do."

"Shoot all the blue jays you want."

"White people wouldn’t understand."

Quotes on Innocence

"Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy."

"Atticus, he was real nice." "Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them."

"When a child asks you something, answer him."

"People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for."

"I think there’s only one kind of folks."

"They were loaded simply by listening to their emotions."

"Don’t worry, Scout, it ain’t the end of the world."

"You’ve got to grow up some time."

"I think there’s only one kind of folks. Folks."

"Shoot all the blue jays you want."

"They hate so much they have to invent a reason for it."

"I’d rather you shoot at tin cans in the backyard."

Final words

Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" offers insight into human nature and social issues through memorable quotes that span themes from justice and empathy to courage and innocence. Each quote bares the layers of complexity within the society, family, and individual conscience. These portrayals challenge readers to look at life's moral dilemmas with a deeper understanding and courage. As readers reflect upon these quotes, they engage with the raw emotions and truths shared by the characters, prompting them to explore questions of identity, ethics, and societal norms. Lee immerses us in a world of profound lessons that remain relevant, urging everyone to strive for justice and empathy in a complex world. These timeless excerpts will undoubtedly continue to inspire introspection and provoke conversation, nurturing a greater awareness and commitment to the ideals of equality and human kindness in generations to come.