Sheik Ilderim: Balthasar is a good man. But until all men are like him, we must keep our swords bright!
Judah Ben-Hur: And our intentions true! So I must leave you.
Sheik Ilderim: One last thought: There is no law in the arena; many are killed... I hope to see you again, Judah Ben-Hur.

Sheik Ilderim: One God, that I can understand; but one wife? That is not civilized.
[nudges Judah]
Sheik Ilderim: It is not generous!

Sheik Ilderim: Was the food not to your liking?
Judah Ben-Hur: Oh, indeed!
[Balthasar gestures for Judah to burp in gratitude, and Judah burps]

Sheik Ilderim: You think you can treat my horses like animals? Give me those reins! Bonehead!

Miriam: [hesitating before leaving the cave that has been her home] I'm afraid.
Esther: [embracing her in encouragement] No cause. The world is more than we know.

Miriam: As though He were carrying in that Cross the pain of the world.
[whispers]
Miriam: So fearful.
Tirzah: And yet why is it... I'm not afraid anymore?

1st Jailer: [looking in records] Miriam, wife... Tirzah, daughter.
Drusus: Yes, that's them. Are they alive?
1st Jailer: [examining the records, he is pessimistic] East section... lower level. Cell two. The jailer in that wing will know.
[Drusus is led down various passages into the lower dungeons]
Drusus: How long since you've seen them?
2nd Jailer: Never - and I've been here three years. But they're alive, all right.
2nd Jailer: [after demonstrating a slot in the bottom of the cell door] The food disappears.

[Christ passes, bearing the cross]
Esther: How can this be?
Judah Ben-Hur: [shocked] I *know* this man!
[Jesus stumbles and is whipped by the centurions]
Miriam: [pleading] Won't someone help him?
[Jesus is whipped again]
Tirzah: Have pity on him!
Miriam: [wonderingly] In his pain... there's a look of peace.
Judah Ben-Hur: Watch over them, Esther.
[he goes after Jesus]
Miriam: We must go back.
Esther: [sadly] I brought you here to this... when I hoped...
Miriam: [looking after Christ] You haven't failed, Esther.

[first lines]
Balthasar: [narrating] In the Year of our Lord, Judea - for nearly a century - had lain under the mastery of Rome. In the seventh year of the reign of Augustus Caesar, an imperial decree ordered every Judean each to return to his place of birth to be counted and taxed. The converging ways of many of them led to the gates of their capital city, Jerusalem, the troubled heart of their land. The old city was dominated by the fortress of Antonia, the seat of Roman power, and by the great golden temple, the outward sign of an inward and imperishable faith. Even while they obeyed the will of Caesar, the people clung proudly to their ancient heritage, always remembering the promise of their prophets that one day there would be born among them a redeemer to bring them salvation and perfect freedom.

[Judah confronts Esther and Malluch in the Valley of the Lepers]
Judah Ben-Hur: [angrily, to Esther] Why did you tell me they were dead?
Esther: It was what they wanted. Judah, you must not betray this faith. Will you do this for them?
Judah Ben-Hur: Not to see them?
Esther: [seeing Miriam and Tirzah approach] They are coming... Judah! Judah, love them in the way they most need to be loved: not to look at them! Judah, let it be as though you had never come here. Please, Judah!
[Judah hides behind a boulder as Esther goes to meet Miriam]
Miriam: Is Judah well? Is he happy?
[Judah's face twists in anguish]
Esther: Yes. He is well. Your mind can be at rest for him. He is well, Miriam.
Miriam: I am content.
[she picks up the basket of food that Esther brought for them]
Miriam: God be with you.
[she and Tirzah go back into the cave]
Esther: [going back to Judah] They are gone. We can go back.
Judah Ben-Hur: [bitterly] Go back... to what?
Esther: Judah, they have one blessing left: to think you remember them as they were. Live your own life. Forget what is here.
Judah Ben-Hur: Forget? Forget? It's as if they were alive in a grave!
Esther: But what can you do?
Judah Ben-Hur: Undo what you've done! How could you have suffered them to come here? I must see them!
Esther: No Judah, please! Judah!
[Judah starts toward the cave but is stopped by Malluch]
Esther: Oh, think, Judah, *think*! It will tear them apart if they see you!