Brad: There's only one way you can stop me from looking for Lucy, mister, and that's kill me!
Martin: That's the way I feel, Uncle Ethan
[Edwards glares at him]
Martin: Ethan... Sir.
Ethan: Alright, but I'm giving the orders here. I'm giving the orders and you'll follow 'em, or we're splitting up right here and now!
Martin: Well, sure, Ethan. Just one reason were here, ain't it, is to find Debbie and Lucy?
Ethan: If they're still alive.

Mose Harper: [preparing for an Indian attack] That which we are about to receive, we thank thee, O Lord.

Ethan: [tucking Martin in] Comfortable?
Martin: Ethan, are you all right?
Ethan: Well, I'm just saying goodnight to you.
Martin: Well, goodnight!

Ethan: A fella could mistake you for a half-breed.
Martin: Not quite, I'm eighth Cherokee, the rest is Welsh and English. Least that's what they tell me.

Ethan: Let's go home, Debbie.

Ethan: Our turnin' back don't mean nothin', not in the long run. She's alive, she's safe... for a while. They'll keep her to raise her as one of their own till, until she's of an age to...
Martin: Don't you think there's a chance we still might find her?
Ethan: Injun will chase a thing till he thinks he's chased it enough. Then he quits. Same way when he runs. Seems like he never learns there's such a thing as a critter that'll just keep comin' on. So we'll find 'em in the end, I promise you. We'll find 'em. Just as sure as the turnin' of the earth.

Ethan: Well, Reverend, that tears it! From now on, you stay out of this. All of ya. I don't want you with me. I don't need ya for what I got to do.

Ethan: What you saw wasn't Lucy.
Brad: But it was, I tell you!
Ethan: What you saw was a buck wearin' Lucy's dress. I found Lucy back in the canyon. Wrapped her in my coat, buried her with my own hands. I thought it best to keep it from ya.
Brad: Did they...? Was she...?
Ethan: What do you want me to do? Draw you a picture? Spell it out? Don't ever ask me! Long as you live, don't ever ask me more.

Charlie McCorry: [to Martin as he embraces Laurie just before Charlie and Laurie's wedding] I'll thank you to unhand my fi-an-cy.

Ben Edwards: Uncle Ethan, will you tell us about the war?
Ethan: Oh, the war ended three years ago, boy.
Ben Edwards: It has? Then why didn't you come home before now?