12 'To Kill a Mockingbird' Quotes To Make You Understand People

July 11, 2020 marks the 60-year anniversary of To Kill a Mockingbird, one of America's favorite books. Unfortunately, the themes of the book are as relevant today as they were all those decades ago. As the recent protests against police brutality show, we still live in a society that grapples with racism, injustice, and violence.

To remind everyone of the invaluable lessons taught in the book (and encourage you to re-read the modern classic novel for yourself), we're sharing 12 of our favorite To Kill a Mockingbird quotes. These words of wisdom from Scout, Atticus Finch, Miss Maudie and other favorite characters teach us how to be fair, compassionate, and kind.

to kill a mockingbird quote from judge taylor

“People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for.” —Judge Taylor

“I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks.” —Scout Finch

atticus finch quote from to kill a mockingbird

“The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.” —Atticus Finch

"There are just some kind of men who - who're so busy worrying about the next world they've never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.” —Miss Maudie

scout finch quote from to kill a mockingbird

“Atticus told me to delete the adjectives and I'd have the facts.” —Scout Finch

“You just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don't you let 'em get your goat. Try fightin' with your head for a change." —Atticus Finch

scout quote about reading from to kill a mockingbird

“Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.” —Scout Finch

“People in their right minds never take pride in their talents.” —Miss Maudie

“Real courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” —Atticus Finch

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” —Atticus Finch

“As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it—whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash.” —Atticus Finch