The Shawshank Redemption 1994 quotes, page 3

Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding

Get busy livin', or get busy dyin'. That's god-damn right. For the second time in my life, I am guilty of committing a crime. Parole violation. Of course, I doubt they'll toss up any roadblocks for that. Not for an old crook like me.

Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding

I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it is the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend, and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope.

Warden Samuel Norton

You are convicted felons. That's why they sent you to me. Rule Number One: No blasphemy. I'll not have the Lord's name taken in vain in my prison. The other rules you'll figure out as you go along.

Warden Samuel Norton

Salvation lies within.

Bogs

Hey, anybody come at you yet? Anybody get to you yet? Hey, we all need friends in here. I could be a friend to you. Hey, hard to get. I like that.

Brooks

All Andy needed was a suit and a tie and a little jiggly hula gal on his desk, he would've been Mister Dufresne.

Brooks

Dear Fellas: I can't believe how fast things move on the outside. I saw an automobile once when I was a kid but now they're everywhere. The world went and got itself in a big damn hurry.

Mr. Dufresne, describe the confrontation you had with your wife the night that she was murdered.

Andy

It was very bitter. She said she was glad I knew, that she hated all the sneaking around. She said she wanted a divorce in Reno...I told her I would not grant one.

'I'll see you in Hell before I see you in Reno.' Those were the words you used, Mr. Dufresne, according to the testimony of your neighbors.

You feel you've been rehabilitated?

Red

Oh, yes sir. Absolutely, sir. Yeah, I've learned my lesson. I can honestly say that I'm a changed man. I'm no longer a danger to society. That's the God's honest truth.

Red

Why'd you do it?

Andy

I didn't, since you ask.

Red

You're gonna fit right in. Everybody in (here) is innocent. Didn't you know that? (to Heywood) Hey Heywood, what you in for?

Heywood

Didn't do it. Lawyer **** me.

Red

Rumor has it you're a real cold fish. You think your shit smells sweeter than most. Is that right?

Andy

What do you think?

Red

I'll tell ya the truth. I haven't made up my mind.

Red

I'm known to locate certain things from time to time.

Andy

I wonder if you might get me a rock-hammer.

Red

...What is it and why?

Andy

What do you care?

Red

What if it was a toothbrush? I wouldn't ask questions. I'd just quote a price. But then, a toothbrush is a non-lethal object, isn't it?

Andy

Fair enough. A rock-hammer is about six or seven inches long. Looks like a miniature pick-axe.

Red

Pick-axe?

Andy

For rocks.

Red

Rocks. Quartz?

Andy

Quartz. Here's some mica, shale, limestone.

Red

So?

Andy

So I'm a rock-hound. At least I was, in my old life. I'd like to be again, on a limited basis.

Red

Or maybe you'd like to sink your toy into somebody's skull.

Andy

No, sir. I have no enemies here.

Red

No? Wait a while. Word gets around. The Sisters have taken quite a likin' to you, especially Bogs.

Andy

I don't suppose it would help any if I explained to them I'm not homosexual.

Red

Neither are they. You have to be human first. They don't qualify. Bull **** take by force. That's all they want or understand. If I were you, I'd grow eyes in the back of my head.

Andy

Thanks for the advice.

Red

That's free. You understand my concern.

Andy

Well, if there's any trouble, I won't use the rock-hammer. OK?

Red

Then I guess you wanna escape. Tunnel under the wall, maybe? [Andy laughs] Did I miss something here? What's funny?

Andy

You'll understand when you see the rock-hammer.

Andy

I had Mr. Mozart to keep me company...[He points and taps his head] It was in here. [And he gestures over his heart] And in here. That's the beauty of music. They can't get that from you. Haven't you ever felt that way about music?...Here's where it makes the most sense. You need it so we don't forget...that there are places in the world that aren't made out of stone, that there's, there's somethin' inside that they can't get to, that they can't touch. It's yours.

Red

What are you talkin' about?

Andy

Hope.

Red

Hope? Let me tell you something, my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane. It's got no use on the inside. You'd better get used to that idea.

Andy

Like Brooks did?

Andy

I'm done. Everything stops. Get someone else to run your scams.

Nothing stops! Nothing! Or you will do the hardest time there is. No more protection from the guards. I'll pull you out of that one-bunk Hilton and cast you down with the sodomites. You'll think you got **** by a train. And the library? Gone! Sealed off brick by brick! We'll have us a little book-barbecue in the yard. They'll see the flames for miles. We'll dance around it like wild Injuns. Do you understand me? Are you catching my drift? Or am I being obtuse? (to guard)Give him another month [in solitary] to think about it.

Andy

My wife used to say I'm a hard man to know. Like a closed book. Complained about it all the time. She was beautiful. God, I loved her. I just didn't know how to show it, that's all. I killed her, Red. I didn't pull the trigger, but I drove her away and that's why she died - because of me, the way I am.

Red

That don't make you a murderer. Bad husband, maybe. Feel bad about it if you want to, but you didn't pull the trigger.

Andy

No, I didn't. Somebody else did and I wound up in here. Bad luck, I guess.

Red

I don't think you ought to be doing this to yourself, Andy. This is just shitty pipedreams. I mean, Mexico is way the hell down there and you're in here, and that's the way it is.

Andy

Yeah, right. That's the way it is. It's down there and I'm in here. I guess it comes down to a simple choice, really. Get busy livin' or get busy dyin'.