Laura Hunt: [Explaining why she broke a promise] You forced me to give you my word. I never have been and I never will be bound by anything I don't do of my own free will.

Laura Hunt: By stooping so low you only degrade yourself.

Waldo Lydecker: [Scene deleted from theater version and restored in 1990] She was quick to seize upon anything that would improve her mind or her appearance. Laura had innate breeding, but she deferred to my judgment and taste. I selected a more attractive hairdress for her. I taught her what clothes were more becoming to her. Through me, she met everyone: The famous and the infamous. Her youth and beauty, her poise and charm of manner captivated them all. She had warmth, vitality. She had authentic magnetism. Wherever we went, she stood out. Men admired her; women envied her. She became as famous as Waldo Lydecker's walking stick and his white carnation.

Waldo Lydecker: How singularly innocent I look this morning.

Waldo Lydecker: I cannot stand these morons any longer. If you don't come with me this instant I shall run amok.

Waldo Lydecker: I don't use a pen. I write with a goose quill dipped in venom.

Waldo Lydecker: I should be sincerely sorry to see my neighbor's children devoured by wolves.

Waldo Lydecker: I'm not kind, I'm vicious. It's the secret of my charm.

Waldo Lydecker: If you come a little bit closer, my boy, I can just crack your skull with my walking stick.

Waldo Lydecker: In my case, self-absorption is completely justified. I have never discovered any other subject quite so worthy of my attention.