- [first lines]
- Bart Maverick: [narrating] I enjoy a good Forth of July as much as any other fun-loving American boy. But when you're three days late for an appointment in Denver, Colorado...
- Judge Somervell: Well, you see, Mr. Maverick, the territory is the land of opportunity. When you decide to settle down with the rest of us, this is the place for it.
- Bart Maverick: I try not to think of that, sir. My old pappy used to say, work is all right for killing time, but it's a shaky way to make a living.
- Janet Kilmer: Tell me, who did you blame all your troubles on before I came along?
- Bart Maverick: Miss Kilmer, before you came along, I didn't know what trouble was.
- [last lines]
- Janet Kilmer: I'm disappointed in you. You're the last person I'd ever expect to show such a shameless streak of decency.
- Bart Maverick: You don't have enough faith in me. I had it all figured out. If I'd sold the papers to those people, they would have burned the papers. And then burned me.
- Janet Kilmer: Well, just so the whole thing won't be a total loss, I'll let you buy my dinner.