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.

- John Wayne (as Ethan Edwards) in The Searchers (1956)

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

- Hank Worden (as Mose Harper) in The Searchers (1956)

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

- Jeffrey Hunter (as Martin Pawley) in The Searchers (1956)

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.

- Jeffrey Hunter (as Martin Pawley) in The Searchers (1956)

Ethan: Let's go home, Debbie.

- John Wayne (as Ethan Edwards) in The Searchers (1956)

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.

- John Wayne (as Ethan Edwards) in The Searchers (1956)

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.

- John Wayne (as Ethan Edwards) in The Searchers (1956)

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.

- John Wayne (as Ethan Edwards) in The Searchers (1956)

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.

- Ken Curtis (as Charlie McCorry) in The Searchers (1956)

Martin: [speaking to Debbie for the first time in five years] Debbie, Debbie, Debbie, don't you remember? I'm Martin, I'm Martin, your brother, remember? Debbie, remember back.
Martin: [pause] Do you remember how I used to let you ride my horse? And tell you stories? Oh, don't you remember me, Debbie?
Debbie Edwards: I remember, from always. At first I prayed to you: "Come and get me, take me home." You didn't come.
Martin: But I've come now, Debbie.
Debbie Edwards: These are my people. Go. Go, Martin, please!

- Natalie Wood (as Debbie Edwards) in The Searchers (1956)