- Sheriff Buck Gordon: [addressing the church congregation after becoming recently elected sheriff] I represent the law of man. The law of God is the law of man, but that law has been abused. I've done many things in this town. I was born here. I went to school here. I fought and played with a lot of you fellas since we were kids together, and what I got to say isn't to my liking.
- Sheriff Buck Gordon: [referring to his conflict with Walton,the other patriarch] Sorry, Dad, I had to keep you apart.
- Dad Turner: [bitterly] Buck Gordon, you've turned against your own kind. From now on, I don't know you. You keep out of my way.
- Clint Turner: [on his way to be hanged for a murder he didn't commit] . Kinda expected Buck'd be standing by me on my last ride.