To Kill a Mockingbird Book Quotes From Harper Lee

For over 50 years, this classic novel has captured the hearts of almost anyone who reads it.

A story of a young girl and her father and demands for social justice and racial equality, To Kill a Mockingbird is still a favorite among many.

And even decades after its release, many can still relate to the book’s message in our current social and government climate.

Our latest collection of To Kill a Mockingbird quotes on the Everyday Power blog will inspire you to see the world in a different way.

To Kill a Mockingbird was a debut novel by Harper Lee, and a true classic of modern American literature.

Published in 1960, the book quickly became successful, winning the 1961 Pulitzer Prize.

It became a best-seller and was also made into a memorable movie in 1962.

The book is about a family – a widowed father and his two children – who are living in Alabama in the 1930s.

Atticus, the father, is a lawyer and is asked to defend a black man in a trial where he’s been accused of raping a white woman.

The story is primarily about this white family and how they navigate the moral questions raised by racial inequality.

It is Scout, the young daughter, who’s telling this story and it’s her brother Jem, who’s four years older, who insists that the story actually begins long before the events of the summer when the trial takes place.

One of the most widely read American novels of the 20th century, To Kill a Mockingbird has inspired many people of all ages.

The story teaches each one of us about the value of honesty, love, friendship, and trust.

In that regard, here are some memorable quotes from the book.

Check out our most popular quote article, a list of short inspirational quotes for daily inspiration.

Our inspirational quote category page has even more inspirational and educational quotes.

To Kill a Mockingbird Quotes From Harper Lee

1. “People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

2. “The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

3. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view — until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” – Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

4. “It’s not time to worry yet.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

5. “Equal rights for all, special privileges for none.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

6. “People don’t like to have somebody knowing more than they do. It aggravates them.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

7. “I try to give’em a reason, you see. It helps folks if they can latch onto a reason.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

8. “You don’t have to learn much out of books, it’s like if you want to learn about cows, you go milk one.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

9. “If one went for a walk with no definite purpose in mind, it was correct to believe one’s mind incapable of definite purpose.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

10. “We generally get the juries we deserve.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

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“To Kill a Mockingbird” quotes to inspire and teach

11. “You see they could never, never understand that I live like I do because that’s the way I want to live.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

12. “Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

13. “People in their right minds never take pride in their talents.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

14. “Sometimes it’s better to bend the law a little in special cases.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

15. “I do my best to love everyday.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

16. “It’s not necessary to tell all you know. It’s not ladylike- in the second place, folks don’t like to have somebody around knowin’ more than they do.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

17. “If you can learn a simple trick, you’ll get along a lot better with all kind of folks.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

18. “There are just some kind of men who’re so busy worrying about the next world they’ve never learned to live in this one.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

19. “Cry about the simple hell people give other people—without even thinking.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

20. “The only way in which all men in America are equal, is in the courtroom.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

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To Kill a Mockingbird quotes to expand your mind

21. “If we followed our feelings all the time, we’d be like cats chasin’ their tails.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

22. “There’s a lot of ugly things in this world, son. I wish I could keep ’em all away from you. That’s never possible.”
― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

23. “When stalking one’s prey, it is best to take one’s time. Say nothing, and as sure as eggs he will become curious and emerge.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

24. “Most people are nice when you finally see them.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

25. “Things are always better in the morning.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

Which of these To Kill a Mockingbird quotes was your favorite?

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is standard reading for millions of young people.

It has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and has had a big impact on how people view and treat each other.

Each word written in the novel has a truly deep meaning to it.

Hopefully, these quotes have inspired you to always believe in doing the right thing and being honest.

Which of these “To Kill a Mockingbird” quotes resonated with you best?

Do you have any other favorite quotes to add to the list?

Let us know in the comment section below.

We would love to hear all about it.

By

Norbert Juma, Lead Editor

Master quote curator and editor on a mission to inspire.

August 10, 2022 5:00 AM EST