LaBoeuf: I wouldn't count too much on bein' able to shade somebody I didn't know, fella.
Rooster Cogburn: [laughs] I ain't never seen nobody from Texas I couldn't shade.

Lawyer Daggett: Am I addressing Marshal Reuben J. Cogburn?
Rooster Cogburn: You're addressing him, Chen Lee and General Sterling Price.
Lawyer Daggett: Well... I'll not ask which is which. But I'll identify myself: I am lawyer J. Noble Daggett.
Rooster Cogburn: I'll be damned!
Lawyer Daggett: What?
Rooster Cogburn: Well, you're not... exactly what we expected. You're a little... You're shrunk!
Lawyer Daggett: I'll tell you frankly. I fully intended to have you jailed, and I'm just the man who could do it. But when Mattie told me the straight of the matter, I had second thoughts. I still think you showed poor judgment in this affair, but you're not the scoundrel I took you for. You have my thanks and, with certain reservations, my respect.

Goudy: I believe you testified that you backed away from old man Wharton?
Rooster Cogburn: Yes, sir.
Goudy: Which direction were you going?
Rooster Cogburn: Backward. I always go backward when I'm backin' away.

Goudy: Now is it not true that you sprang up on old man Wharton and his two sons with a deadly, six shot revolver in your hand?
Rooster Cogburn: I always try to be ready.
Goudy: Was this revolver loaded and cocked?
Rooster Cogburn: Well, a gun that's unloaded and cocked ain't good for nothin'.

Rooster Cogburn: [cocks his gun] Mr. Rat... I have a writ here says you're to stop eating Chen Lee's cornmeal forthwith. Now it's a rat writ, writ for a rat, and this is lawful service of the same. See? Doesn't pay any attention to me.
[shoots the rat]
Chen Lee: [runs into the room] Outside is place for shooting!
Rooster Cogburn: I'm serving some papers.

Rooster Cogburn: Any man who packs a big bore Sharps carbine could come in mighty handy, if we're attacked by buffalo... or elephants.

Rooster Cogburn: Baby sister, I was born game and I intend to go out that way.

Rooster Cogburn: Boots, I got Hayes and some youngster outside with Moon and Quincy. I want you to bury 'em for me. I'm in a hurry.
Capt. Boots Finch: They're dead?
Rooster Cogburn: Well, I wouldn't want you to bury 'em if they wasn't.

Rooster Cogburn: Damn you, Bo. First time you ever give me reason to... cuss you.

Rooster Cogburn: Fill your hand you son of a bitch!