I didn't know how you were going to do it, but from now on I'll never worry about what'll become of you, son, you'll always have an idea.

When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.

I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent he would be wise to develop a thick hide.

Now that I was compelled to think about it, reading was something that just came to me, as learning to fasten the seat of my union suit without looking around, or achieving two bows from a snarl of shoelaces.

You've really got to start hitting the books because it's no joke out here.

Somewhere, I had received the impression that Fine Folks were people who did the best they could with the sense they had, but Aunt Alexandra was of the opinion, obliquely expressed, that the longer a family had been squatting on one patch of land the finer it was.

...but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself.