Best Quotes from The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)

This article covers the best quotes from the 1976 Clint Eastwood movie The Outlaw Josey Wales.

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The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) is a revisionist Western directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. The historic film follows a farmer turned soldier who seeks revenge for his family’s deaths immediately following the American Civil War. Action-packed and filled with impressive gunfighting and horse stunts, the film was a commercial success that was also inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry in the late ’90s.

Josey Wales himself has also gained notoriety and infamy among fans of outlaw, bounty hunter, and traditionally masculine characters. To celebrate the film’s 50th anniversary, we’re taking a retrospective look at the best Josey Wales quotes. Did your favorite make our list?

• “Dyin’ ain’t much of a living, boy.”
• “Whenever I get to likin’ someone, they ain’t around long.”
• “Yeah, well, I always heard there were three kinds of suns in Kansas: sunshine, sunflowers, and sons-of-b***hes.”
• “I reckon so.”
• “I ain’t promising you nothing extra. I’m just giving you life and you’re giving me life. And I’m saying that men can live together without butchering one another.”
• “Now remember, when things look bad and it looks like you’re not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean. I mean plumb, mad-dog mean. ‘Cause if you lose your head and you give up, then you neither live nor win. That’s just the way it is.”
• “Sometimes, trouble just follows a man.”

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“Dyin’ ain’t much of a living, boy.”

The Outlaw Josey Wales actually includes a lot of anti-war messaging. Repeatedly, the film demonstrates what a waste it is to serve as a soldier and die for a cause somebody else believes in. The Civil War’s awful effects reverberate through every scene, especially in the hateful, hardened personality of Josey.

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“Whenever I get to likin’ somebody, they ain’t around long.”

The follow-up to this quote is also great. When Josey laments his loneliness, the instant response is, “I notice when you get to dislikin’ someone they ain’t around for long neither.” Often, a man’s biggest problems are somewhat self-made … but Josey definitely needs that reminder.

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“Yeah, well, I always heard there were three kinds of suns in Kansas…”

Frequently, a cowboy or outlaw character is considered less intelligent. Josey Wales eschews that stereotype with some clever wordplay. The insult also serves to characterize Josey, whose frequent cursing and antisocial attitude are staples of the genre as a whole.

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“I reckon so.”

The above quote can be considered Josey Wale’s catchphrase. Josey repeats the line a lot during the film, showcasing both his succinct attitude as well as how tired he is. When you’re exhausted by other people, a simple answer suffices. And Josey Wales is not a man who cares to over-explain himself.

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“I ain’t promising you nothing extra. I’m just giving you life and you’re giving me life.”

Again, the anti-war aspects appear all over this film. Josey Wales was a reluctant soldier who saw his fair share of useless violence. He doesn’t want to live in a world where men kill each constantly for absolutely nothing. While The Outlaw Josey Wales is generally sensational in its violence, this quote represents Josey’s innate desire for both inner and outer peace.

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“Now remember, when things look bad and it looks like you’re not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean.”

Life comes at all of us pretty hard. Many people try to remain polite, kind, and considerate. But there comes a point when people keep dumping scalding hot water in your lap, and you need to take a stand. A very jaded Josey Wales decides to get mean when necessary, and imparts the same wisdom on his allies.

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“Sometimes, trouble just follows a man.”

Sometimes, people feel cursed. Josey Wales, of course, is beset by almost unending antagonism during the film’s runtime. Followed by enemies and ill fate everywhere, it’s easy to assume he just has a knack for finding the worst paths in life. At least he has some loaded pistols to help fight off all the bad luck!

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