Teeler Yancy: I shouldn't have run away. I should have stayed and put a bullet in you. I signed a pledge, sure, but you ain't the man I signed it with.
Thomas Dunson: You finished?
Teeler Yancy: Yeah, now you can get your Bible and read over us after you shoot us.

- Paul Fix (as Teeler Yacey) in Red River (1948)

Thomas Dunson: Give me ten years, and I'll have that brand on the gates of the greatest ranch in Texas. The big house will be down by the river, and the corrals and the barns behind it. It'll be a good place to live in. Ten years and I'll have the Red River D on more cattle than you've looked at anywhere. I'll have that brand on enough beef to feed the whole country. Good beef for hungry people. Beef to make 'em strong, make 'em grow. But it takes work, and it takes sweat, and it takes time, lots of time. It takes years.

- John Wayne (as Thomas Dunson) in Red River (1948)

Thomas Dunson: Take 'em to Missouri, Matt!

- John Wayne (as Thomas Dunson) in Red River (1948)

Thomas Dunson: We brought nothing into this world and it's certain we can carry nothing out.

- John Wayne (as Thomas Dunson) in Red River (1948)

Nadine Groot: He didn't know about money, Matt. He never had none. He didn't know what to do.
Matt Garth: You mean he just doesn't know who to fight.
Nadine Groot: Yeah.
Matt Garth: Well that's all right.

- Montgomery Clift (as Matt Garth) in Red River (1948)

Nadine Groot: Never liked seeing strangers. Maybe it's because no stranger ever good newsed me.

- Walter Brennan (as Nadine Groot) in Red River (1948)

Tess Millay: Whoever would have thought that you two could have killed each other.

- Joanne Dru (as Tess Millay) in Red River (1948)

[Dunson plans to take Don Diego's land from him]
Fernandez: Others have thought as you, señor. Others have tried.
Thomas Dunson: And you've always been good enough to stop them?
Fernandez: Amigo, it is my work.
Thomas Dunson: Pretty unhealthy job.

- John Wayne (as Thomas Dunson) in Red River (1948)

Thomas Dunson: Cherry was right. You're soft, you should have let 'em kill me, 'cause I'm gonna kill you. I'll catch up with ya. I don't know when, but I'll catch up. Every time you turn around, expect to see me, 'cause one time you'll turn around and I'll be there. I'm gonna kill ya, Matt.

- John Wayne (as Thomas Dunson) in Red River (1948)

Thomas Dunson: Who are you?
Cherry Valance: Some call me one thing, some another.
Thomas Dunson: What do they call you most?
Cherry Valance: By my name. Cherry Valance.

- John Ireland (as Cherry Valance) in Red River (1948)