Shopkeeper at the ball: You can't burn my place! It took me two years to build that store!
Capt. Christopher Holden: It'll take you all eternity to grow a new scalp.


--Gary Cooper (as Capt. Christopher Holden) in Unconquered

Peter Keating: But it's a humanitarian project. Think of the people who live in slums. If you can give them decent housing, you can perform a noble deed. Would you do it just for their sake?
Howard Roark: No! A man who works for others without payment is a slave! I do no believe that slavery is noble. Not in any form, nor for any purpose, whatsoever!


--Gary Cooper (as Howard Roark) in The Fountainhead

John Geste: Charming fellow, our sergeant.
Michael 'Beau' Geste: A trifle uncouth, but the best soldier we'll ever see.


--Gary Cooper (as Michael 'Beau' Geste) in Beau Geste

John Geste: Well, isn't anybody going to say a word?
Michael 'Beau' Geste: You young pup, we're both so disgusted with you we're speechless.
John Geste: I'm no worse than either of you.
Digby Geste: There's something in what he says.
Michael 'Beau' Geste: I insist I'm worse than he is. He didn't steal the Blue Water.
John Geste: Neither did you.
Digby Geste: No. As a matter of fact, I've got it.
Michael 'Beau' Geste: I'll be frank with you, gentlemen. I've got it. I intend to sell it for 30,000 pounds sometime in the future, and live a life of ease in Paris surrounded by whiskey, ladies, and laughter.
Digby Geste: Well that's funny. I'm going to sell it and go to Paris, too. Only I don't' want any laughter.
Michael 'Beau' Geste: One thing I counted on was my younger brother leading an upright life while I spent my ill-gotten gains.
Digby Geste: Yes, I was counting on him, too.
John Geste: If you don't mind my saying so, the great sapphire is in my possession. And as soon as I can arrange to sell it, I'm going to the South Seas, buy a plantation, and start trading in copra.
Digby Geste: He puts us both to shame, doesn't he, Beau?
Michael 'Beau' Geste: Let's put him to death and keep his share.


--Gary Cooper (as Michael 'Beau' Geste) in Beau Geste

Longfellow Deeds: People here are funny. They work so hard at living they forget how to live. Last night, after I left you, I was walking along and - and lookin' at the tall buildings, and I got to thinking about what Thoreau said. 'They created a lot of grand palaces here, but they forgot to create the noblemen to put in them.' I'd rather have Mandrake Falls.


--Gary Cooper (as Longfellow Deeds) in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town

[Deeds and attorney Cedar shake hands in parting]
Longfellow Deeds: Even his hands are oily.


--Gary Cooper (as Longfellow Deeds) in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town

[Schwartz is shouting at the legionnaires to mutiny against Markoff]
Michael 'Beau' Geste: Wait a minute. I don't know much about mutinies, but I do know it isn't good form to plan them at the top of your voice.


--Gary Cooper (as Michael 'Beau' Geste) in Beau Geste

Howard Roark: I am an architect. I know what is to come by the principle on which it is built. We are approaching a world in which I cannot permit myself to live. My ideas are my property. They were taken from me by force, by breach of contract. No appeal was left to me. It was believed that my work belonged to others, to do with as they pleased. They had a claim upon me without my consent. That is was my duty to serve them without choice or reward. Now you know why I dynamited Cortlandt. I designed Cortlandt, I made it possible, I destroyed it. I agreed to design it for the purpose of seeing it built as I wished. That was the price I set for my work. I was not paid. My building was disfigured at the whim of others who took all the benefits of my work and gave me nothing in return. I came here to say that I do not recognize anyone's right to one minute

--Gary Cooper (as Howard Roark) in The Fountainhead

Howard Roark: Man cannot survive except through his mind. He comes on earth unarmed. His brain is his only weapon. But the mind is an attribute of the individual, there is no such thing as a collective brain. The man who thinks must think and act on his own. The reasoning mind cannot work under any form of compulsion. It cannot not be subordinated to the needs, opinions, or wishes of others. It is not an object of sacrifice.


--Gary Cooper (as Howard Roark) in The Fountainhead

Howard Roark: No creator was prompted by a desire to please his brothers. His brothers hated the gift he offered. His truth was his only motive. His work was his only goal. His work, not those who used it, his creation, not the benefits others derived from it. The creation which gave form to his truth. He held his truth above all things, and against all men. He went ahead whether others agreed with him or not. With his integrity as his only banner. He served nothing, and no one. He lived for himself. And only by living for himself was he able to achieve the things which are the glory of mankind. Such is the nature of achievement.


--Gary Cooper (as Howard Roark) in The Fountainhead