The Best Quotes From The Red Dead Redemption Series

Rockstar will forever be known for the Grand Theft Auto series, yet in recent history, their Red Dead Redemption games have rivaled the GTA titles in terms of quality, both in the minds of fans and critics. The Wild West games are beloved due to their immersive stories, compelling characters, and, perhaps most of all, brilliant writing.

From thought-provoking speeches to heartwrenching comments, both Red Dead Redemption games have some of the best dialogue seen in gaming. Therefore, there are many lines in the games that are going to stick with fans forever. The following ones stand out the most.

Updated November 7, 2024 By Ben Jessey: The original Red Dead Redemption game has finally come to PC. Therefore, we thought it was a good time to revisit our list of the best quotes in the Red Dead Redemption series. In the process, we’ve added a few more great quotes to the collection.

15

“It’s You, Or Me. And The Way I See It… It Might As Well Be You.”

John Marston

Throughout the first Red Dead Redemption, John is rounding up and, in some cases, taking out his former outlaw buddies. He’s doing so to see his family again and to try and save himself from a similar fate. Half of his motivations are perfectly described in one line he delivers when he reunites with Javier.

He points out that it’s him or Javier, so it might as well be the latter. It’s a cold line. What makes it extra special, though, is the fact that Dutch said a similar quote in the prequel. That is where John got it from, showing that even though he and Dutch are on opposite sides now, the villain’s influence is still there.

14

“We All Need To Look For Answers Somewhere. Some In Big Ol’ Books. And Others In Big Ol’ Bottles Of Whiskey.”

Bonnie MacFarlane

Bonnie MacFarlane is one of the most memorable characters John meets in the first game. This is because she engages in plenty of powerful and thought-provoking discussions with the former outlaw.

For example, they have an interesting talk about religion and faith. This is when she delivers the quote in question about people looking for answers in different places. Comparing a bottle of whiskey to the bible is quite humourous, but this is a profound quote overall.

13

“We’re More Ghosts Than People.”

Arthur Morgan

Late in the second game, Arthur becomes convinced that John and his family are the only ones who have a hopeful future. He certainly doesn’t see either himself or Sadie having good lives after the gang falls despite not being among the oldest members.

This is where this memorable quote comes from, as he refers to himself and Sadie as “more ghosts than people.” This stems from the fact they’ve both lost so much and turned into cold-blooded killers.

12

“Revenge Is A Fool’s Game.”

Arthur Morgan

There are a few lines in Red Dead Redemption 2 that are about revenge and how pursuing it is idiotic. Revenge is a fool’s game” and “vengeance is an idiot’s game” are the most famous ones. They’re worded differently, but they mean the same thing.

They’re memorable because a lot of the Red Dead series revolves around revenge. In fact, many of the character’s problems begin because they’re seeking vengeance. For example, if John didn’t track down and kill Micah in the name of revenge, his life would’ve been much better and probably lasted longer. So, Marston and many others should’ve heeded Arthur’s warning.

11

“Why, You’re A Good Man.”

Mrs. Londonderry

Morality is a major theme throughout both Red Dead Redemption games. It’s certainly a big part of the debt collection missions Arthur does for Strauss in Red Dead Redemption 2. On one occasion, he’s instructed to take money from a poor widow named Mrs. Londonderry.

When Arthur sees how she and her son are struggling, he cancels the debt and can even give her some money. In response, she calls him a good man. The delivery of the line makes it all the more powerful and memorable.

10

“I See Clearly That Your World Is Not A World From Which One Can Escape.”

Mary Linton

During Red Dead Redemption 2, it becomes clear that running off and being with Mary Linton is the only way that Arthur would get a chance at living a good life. That is what makes Mary’s final goodbye letter so heartbreaking, as it’s a realization that Arthur has missed his chance to leave.

Arthur uses the excuse of not having money as to why he couldn’t leave with Mary earlier, but the above quote found in Mary’s letter is clearly the real reason. The whole letter and this line in particular is a big moment in the game as it shows that the likelihood of Arthur getting a happy ending is slim and that he’s going to go down with the gang.

9

“Ain’t Nothing Fair.”

John Marston

“Some trees flourish, others die. Some cattle grow strong, others are taken by wolves. Some men are born rich enough and dumb enough to enjoy their lives. Ain’t nothing fair.”

This quote has both Red Dead and real-life significance. In the game, the rich government members are shown to be just as cruel as anyone else – maybe more so. Yet, they don’t get their loved ones taken away, nor are they forced into killing or capturing their old friends, and they certainly don’t get gunned down by a group of people on their own property.

In real life, people realize that life isn’t fair early on. The line about people being born rich enough to enjoy their life, in particular, resonates with many.

8

“You Pick Your Side Now Because This Is Over.”

Arthur Morgan

You spend the majority of Red Dead Redemption 2 in the Van Der Linde Gang, and the whole story revolves around them. In fact, almost every major mission involves the group in some way or another. That’s what makes this quote important as it signifies the end of the group.

The crew had been reaching a breaking point throughout the second half of the game. But it is this moment after Arthur outs Micah as the rat and then asks everyone to pick sides when they reach their point of no return.

7

“They Turned Me Into A Monster.”

Sadie Adler

One of the coolest parts of the second game is Sadie Adler’s development from a frightened widow to a badass outlaw. In the later stages of the game, Sadie asks Arthur to go with her to wipe out the remaining O’Driscolls to finally avenge her husband.

When she gets done burying her knife into the chest of the last one, she utters the quote in question about turning into a monster. It’s a sudden reminder or realization that Sadie’s seemingly cool transition into an outlaw is actually a tragic story. Her arc isn’t about a woman working her way up the ranks of a gang, it’s about a woman who was so scarred from what happened to her and her husband, that she became a ruthless killer to survive. This quote points that out.

6

“People Don’t Forget, Nothing Gets Forgiven.”

John Marston

This is another instance where the quote is memorable partly because of its real-life significance. How much you believe this quote is truthful depends on how cynical you are, but some certainly see a little truth to it.

In Red Dead Redemption, it’s sad when John says it, as this is a guy who is trying to redeem himself and become a new man. Doing so is very difficult if people don’t forget or forgive what you’ve done. It does prove truthful a few times in the game, though.

5

“I Ain’t Got Too Much To Say No More.”

Dutch Van Der Linde

Throughout most of Red Dead Redemption 2, Dutch has an answer for every situation. This is why when he admits he hasn’t got much left to say, it sticks with you.

At the end of the game, both Dutch and Micah have their guns pointed at John. Marston pleads with his former leader, reminding him that it wasn’t everyone else’s fault the gang fell apart and that killing him wouldn’t solve anything. At this point, Dutch finally doesn’t know what to say. For once he is neither a charismatic leader guiding his crew nor is he a madman manipulating the people close to him. Instead, he is a broken man.

4

“Our Time Has Passed, John.”

Dutch Van Der Linde

In the first Red Dead Redemption, Dutch and John find themselves on a snowy mountain once again. Dutch gives a great monologue about fighting nature, but it is this final line that is the most memorable. These words are the last spoken by Dutch Van Der Linde as he plummets off the cliff seconds later.

There could be two meanings given to the quote. The first meaning could be that outlaws like Dutch and John are becoming obsolete, due to the West becoming more civilized. Dutch could also be referring to the gang specifically, as most of the former gang’s main members have died or are in jail by this point.

3

“I Gave You All I Had.”

Arthur Morgan

Arthur’s final moments are spent in a battle with Micah. During the brawl, Arthur crawls to his gun to put an end to the traitor, but Dutch stops him. Arthur then looks up to his former mentor and says he gave him all he had.

The quote is true, as Arthur might have argued with Dutch at times, yet he did stick by him despite being ill, and despite Dutch’s descent into madness. Dutch still chose Micah’s side over Arthur’s though, making this one of the most heartbreaking lines in the series.

2

“Now Go!! Get!!”

John Marston

These words might not seem as deep as many others in the series, but they’re some of the most emotional ones. As John’s property is being invaded by Edgar Ross and a bunch of his cronies, the Marstons manage to fight their way to the barn. While there, John convinces his wife and son to get on a horse and escape.

The three words in the question are the last he says to them as he’s gunned down moments later. By the look on his face, it’s clear he knew he wasn’t going to see them again, which makes the scene among the most emotional in action-game history.

1

“I Guess I… I’m Afraid.”

Arthur Morgan

Deep into the second game, a terminally ill Arthur talks with Sister Calderon if the player has high honor. This entire conversation will stick with players forever, but it is Arthur’s admittance of fear that really stands out.

Rarely in a video game do you see the protagonist show this level of vulnerability. Some characters may be physically vulnerable, but you won’t find many who openly admit to being afraid, especially not badass outlaws like Arthur Morgan. It’s a tear-jerking line that’s amplified by his delivery of it, as well as the look on his face. It is a moment fans of the character will never forget.