Quotes – Horse FAQ’s

When you think of cowboys, you might not immediately think of pearls of wisdom. But that’s where you’re missing out, partner. Read on for some wise words from some of your favorite western figures, and a few anonymous pieces of advice that have stood the test of time. What Are Some Cowboy Sayings? “Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction.” “Don't squat with your spurs on.” “Don't judge people by their relatives.” “Behind every successful rancher is a wife who works in town.” “Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.” “Talk slowly, think quickly.” “The easiest way to eat crow is while it's still warm. The colder it gets, the harder it is to swaller.” “It's better to keep your mouth shut and look stupid than open it and prove it.” “If it doesn't seem to be worth the effort, it probably isn't.” “Don't name a pig you plan to eat.” “Just 'cause trouble comes visiting doesn't mean you have to offer it a place to sit down.” Famous Cowboy Sayings Most cowboys are world-famous, thanks to cinematic westerns and books. Here are some memorable cowboy sayings. “The only healthy way to live life is to learn to like all the little everyday things – like a sip of good whiskey in the evening, a soft bed, a glass of buttermilk, or a feisty gentleman like myself.” – Gus McCrae, Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry “A cowboy is defined by the work that he does. Any man lays claim to that name if he lives on a ranch and works–drives, brands, castrates, or nutures – a cattleman’s herd.” --Blake Allmendinger "Every gun makes its own tune.” – Clint Eastwood, The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (1967) "When a man is a killer, arsonist, cheat, and a coward, it's hardly surprising if he turns out to be a liar, as well." Charles Bronson as John Deakin Breakhart Pass (1975) “A cowboy is a man with guts and a horse.” – William James, Western writer “It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. You take away all he's got and all he's ever gonna have.” -- Clint Eastwood as Bill Munny Unforgiven (1992) Badass Cowboy Quotes There’s a shootout, and then there’s a verbal takedown. Whether real or fictional, who doesn’t like to hear a brutal one-liner? “You see, in this world, there's two kinds of people, my friend; those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig." --Clint Eastwood as the Man with No Name in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly “I’m not afraid to die like a man fighting, but I would not like to be killed like a dog unarmed.” -- Billy the Kid “But you won’t be here to see any of ’em; not by a damn sight, because it’s the order of this court that you be took to the nearest tree and hanged by the neck til you’re dead, dead, dead, you olive-colored son of a billy goat.” — Judge Roy Bean "We'll give you a fair trial, followed by a first-class hanging!" --Brian Dennehy as Sheriff Cobb in Silverado (1985) "I know enough about men to steer clear of them." --Katharine Hepburn as Eula Goodnight in Rooster Cogburn (1975) ‘You may need me and this Winchester, Curly’ --John Wayne as The Ringo Kid in Stagecoach (1939) “You gonna do somethin'? or are you just gonna stand there and bleed?” --Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp in Tombstone (1993) “I’m looking at a tin star with a drunk pinned on it.” --John Wayne as Cole Thornton in El Dorado (1976) “It ain’t so easy to shoot a man anyhow, especially if the SOB is shootin back at ya.” -- Gene Hackman, Little Bill Daggett, Unforgiven (1992) John Wayne Cowboy Quotes “Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives, and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday.” ― John Wayne “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ― John Wayne “You're short on ears and long on mouth.” ― John Wayne “I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” ― John Wayne, The Shootist “I've always followed my father's advice: he told me, first to always keep my word and, second, to never insult anybody unintentionally. If I insult you, you can be goddamn sure I intend to. And, third, he told me not to go around looking for trouble. ” ― John Wayne “Talk low, talk slow, and don't say too much.” ― John Wayne “‘Get down off them horses. I don’t favor looking up to the likes of you’” ― John Wayne as Tom Dunson in Red River (1948) “All battles are fought by scared men who'd rather be someplace else.” ― John Wayne as Rock in In Harm’s Way (1965) “I bet you could almost get that fancy gun outta that fancy holster before some fast gentleman with on old fashioned six gun blew a hole in ya.” John Wayne, Jacob McCandles, Big Jake (1971) Cowboy Quotes About Friends “No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are, how you treat people ultimately tells all. Integrity is everything.” “Things you can give and still keep are your word, a smile and a grateful heart.” “A cowboy stays on the job until it gets done, no matter how dark it is outside.” “Hold on to good friends; they are few and far between.” “When you give a lesson in meanness to a critter or a person, don't be surprised if they learn their lesson.” Cowboy Quotes About Horses “Speak your mind, but ride a fast horse.” “When in doubt, let your horse do the thinkin'.” “If you haven’t fallen off a horse, then you haven’t been ridin’ long enough.” “The horse stopped with a jerk -- and the jerk fell off!” “There is no better place to heal a broken heart than on the back of a horse.” “There never was a horse that couldn't be rode; never was a cowboy who couldn't be throwed.” “If you climb in the saddle, be ready for the ride.” “There’s nothing in life that’s worth doin’ if it can’t be done from a horse.”