- Capt. Daniel Gregg: A nineteenth century wise man said "I've won and I've lost, and winning is better."
- Carolyn Muir: What nineteenth century wise man said that?
- Capt. Daniel Gregg: Me.
- Norrie Coolidge: Ah, would... would you mind a suggestion, Claymore?
- Claymore Gregg: [as chairman] You're out of order, Norrie. I didn't recognize you.
- Norrie Coolidge: Well, you should recognize me, Claymore. You've known me for twenty years.
- Jonathan Muir: [at home, trying to follow family advice while reading his essay aloud] I can't.
- Carolyn Muir: Can't what?
- Jonathan Muir: Hold my head up, relax, smile, use my hands AND talk.
- Rutledge Adams: Stop. Is this the composition that won first place?
- Jonathan Muir: I changed it a little just to make it truer.
- Claymore Gregg: [deciding how to deal with Jonathan] I'll appeal to his good judgement, his sense of honor - and if that doesn't work, I'll offer him a bribe.
- Martha Grant: [answering the phone] Good afternoon, the Alamo. No, Mrs. Muir isn't here now. She's out looking for a street riot to find some peace and quiet.
- Capt. Daniel Gregg: Still, Jonathan is in the right, and he must stand by the right
- Carolyn Muir: They'll take first prize away from him, and he'll be hurt for being right.
- Capt. Daniel Gregg: Throughout history men have been hurt for being right.
- Carolyn Muir: Yes, "men" have, but Jonathan's just a little boy.
- Carolyn Muir: Well, Captain, all's well that ends well.
- Capt. Daniel Gregg: Let's just say all's well that ends.
- Jonathan Muir: Do you like my new composition, Mom?
- Carolyn Muir: Uh, yes, I do Jonathan.
- Jonathan Muir: Then why don't other people like it.
- Carolyn Muir: Well, some people like to picture the great men of history as being perfect, and when you showed that John Adams wasn't exactly perfect, I guess they got upset.
- Jonathan Muir: But nobody let me get to the good part, the part where I tell everybody when Franklin and Adams worked together for the good of our country. They didn't like each other, but they put our country first.