For five seasons, Yellowstone has taught audiences what it means to be a rancher in a changing world and the fight to protect that way of life with these themes perfectly portrayed through Yellowstone's best quotes. Though they come from all types of characters, Duttons or not, Yellowstone's dialogue succeeds at emphasizing the ideas of family, sacrifice, and hardship that are important to the show. Overall, these quotes show off the ideals of Yellowstone's cast of characters, but more than that, they elevate the uniquely Western ambiance of Yellowstone as a whole.
Yellowstone is a Western drama following the Dutton family, who own the largest contiguous ranch in America. Aside from the titular ranch, family patriarch John Dutton cares most about his three children. Beth is blunt and fierce, and will do what she can to protect her family and its legacy. Kayce has become distanced from the Duttons to pursue his own life. Worst of all, Jamie has left the ranch completely to become a lawyer. Despite their disagreements, the Duttons and their peers must come together to preserve the ranch and everything it stands for.
25 "The Brand Isn't Something You Earn, It's Something You Live Up To."
John Dutton
The Yellowstone brand is one of the most important things in the series as it makes a person a part of the Dutton ranch for life. The brand is first seen when Jimmy is given the chance to turn his life over to the ranch or continue to destroy his life as a petty criminal and drug addict. However, as John Dutton points out, simply getting the brand doesn't mean that a person has proven themselves but rather that it serves as a painful reminder that they need to work to earn their place on the ranch.
He expects the people who work for him to be loyal and follow him without question.
John's explanation of the meaning behind the brand is a glimpse of the way he runs the ranch. He expects the people who work for him to be loyal and follow him without question. However, those who wear the brands are more than just ranch hands as they are expected to do the dirty work required to keep the ranch going.
24 "It's Gonna Be A S***show No Matter What We Do. May As Well Do It Fast."
Kayce Dutton
So many times on Yellowstone, the main characters prove that they have the determination and toughness that is required for life on the ranch. However, that doesn't mean it comes easy, and also doesn't mean that they always know what they are doing. As the cowboys head out to rustle up a stray herd, it becomes clear that they don't have a plan as Rip's whole approach is to just say "F*** it" and see what happens.
Kayce echos this clueless approach insisting that doing it fast will leave less time for things to go wrong.
Kayce echos this clueless approach insisting that doing it fast will leave less time for things to go wrong. It is one of the rare moments in the show where John Dutton seems amused as he remarks that Kayce's way of thinking is so illogical that it almost makes sense. Given how at ease these people seem to feel on a ranch, it is a relatable moment when they all it they don't really know what they're doing.
23 "It's Hard To Measure Almost, 'Cause Almost Doesn't Matter."
Rip Wheeler
Many of the best Yellowstone quotes involve the characters offering words of wisdom to each other in times of need. While John is usually the one who is dispensing that wisdom, there is a moment where he needs some new perspective after his grandson Tate almost drowns on his watch. As John beats himself up about it, Rip reminds him that "almost" is not something worth considering because it didn't happen.
What makes the line memorable is the delivery Rip gives, as it seems like he knows his place and at the same time wants to talk some sense into John for beating himself up too much. However, it is made even better as John scoffs at the sentiment, only for Rip to reveal that it was John who told that to Rip in the first place.
22 "Well, If You're Marrying Beth, You've Already Proven You're Not Scared Of Anything."
John Dutton
The romance between Beth and Rip on Yellowstone is one of the most heartwarming aspects of the series, but also intense at times. This is partially due to Beth's fiery personality with Rip proving time and time again that he is the only person who can stand toe-to-toe with her.
When discussing ing the family after he and Beth decide to get married, Rip reveals to John Dutton that other people in the family are afraid to talk to him because they are afraid to let him down. When Rip its that's what he's afraid of, John suggests his relationship with Beth proves Rip has no fear. It is a nice moment between the two men which shows how much John respects Rip and how he sees him as an ideal man for his daughter.
21 "Better Get After It Then... Too Late."
Rip Wheeler
Some of the most exciting scenes in Yellowstone involve Rip getting into a fight and proving how tough he is. One of the best of these moments comes when a gang of bikers gets into a fight with the ranch's other cowboys. Rip comes on the scene like an animal, knocking over anyone who steps to him.
When one of the bikers pulls a gun, Rip doesn't even stop. He dares the man to pull the trigger while advancing on him. When he is close enough, Rip lets the biker know he let the opportunity go before snatching the gun away and delivering a beatdown. It is a thrilling moment of Rip proving yet again that he is the toughest person in this show. He does not flinch at all even when staring down the barrel of the gun and taunts the man for not being able to go through with it.
20 “Learn To Be Meaner Than Evil And Still Love Your Family And Enjoy A Sunrise.”
John Dutton
Though Yellowstone is a modern Western, it never lacks classic Western themes. For example, this quote perfectly describes a cowboy's way of life: a man who must do hard things, yet can still enjoy his life and protect those he loves. The fact that this quote comes from John Dutton is no surprise either. John says this because he wants his children to understand that evil is inevitable, and they must survive it but do so in a way that is still worth living.
John certainly values family but he has shown he can be evil as well. In many ways, this can be seen as one of the themes of the series as various other characters have to deal with the conflict between caring for their family and having to embrace the violence of the world. As the stakes continue to rise in the series, it will be interesting to see how those two priorities clash.
19 "You're Either Born A Willow Or Born An Oak. That's All There Is To It."
Lloyd Pierce
Though Yellowstone, Lloyd is considered the wise man on the ranch, which makes it unsurprising that he came out with this meaningful quote. While talking to Monica about her son Tate, Lloyd explains via this quote that some people are born strong and unmovable, while others are more flexible and easily persuaded. Lloyd has been a part of this life for so long that it allows him to see the world in a simple and clear way.
One of the things Yellowstone keeps returning to again and again is the idea of this life on the ranch being a hard one and the type of people it creates as a result. They choose this life because it builds character but there have also been more than a few people who have come looking to take a piece for themselves only to discover they are willows surrounded by oaks.
18 "I’d Rather Kill A Thousand Men Than Shoot Another Horse."
Rip Wheeler
A major aspect of the Western lifestyle that is often overlooked is the actual ranch, but luckily, Yellowstone's Rip could never forget about the horses he rides every day. Though Rip is just as rough-and-tumble as the rest of Yellowstone's cowboys, this quote shows his more comionate side - at least towards animals. He has killed many men over the course of the series, but there is a gentleness to him as well.
It also speaks to the themes of nature being the victim of the modern world.
This quote summarizes the balance of violence and love that the characters often face. It also speaks to the themes of nature being the victim of the modern world. John Dutton and many of the people on the Yellowstone ranch are dead set on standing against the push of progress. While this sometimes makes them seem like outdated and out-of-touch people, there is also a sense they are trying to protect the beauty of nature that is being overrun.
17 “A Man Who Puts A Hand On A Member Of My Family Never Puts A Hand On Anything Else.”
Jamie Dutton
Without family, Yellowstone would be nothing, and this quote explains just how deeply the Duttons care for each other. They are a dysfunctional family, to say the least, and they are often at each other just as much as they are at their enemies. However, when one of them is attacked, the Dutton family has shown time and time again just how quickly they will come together to enact their retribution.
What makes it all the more powerful is the fact that it is coming from Jamie, the black sheep of the family. In the end, this quote proves that even the outsiders of the Dutton family will still resort to violence when their family is threatened. However, later seasons of Yellowstone have shown Jamie becoming something of an enemy to John and Beth, suggesting that this quote could mean something else in the future.
16 "You Are The Trailer Park. I’m The Tornado."
Beth Dutton
While everyone on the Dutton ranch has an edge of danger to them, none are as volatile as Beth Dutton. Beth holds no prisoners in all aspects of her life, and this quote is just one example of her power. In a literal sense, Beth is like a natural disaster, and won't hesitate in bringing someone else down to get her way. There is certainly a destructive nature to Beth and whoever winds up in her path is likely to be devastated. However, this also makes way for a lot of self-destruction as well.
It is hugely entertaining to see Beth take on the many enemies of the Dutton family as she handles them in her own brutal way. While others have a more physical approach to fighting, Beth uses her intelligence, which often proves to be a lot more devastating. However, it will be interesting to see if she meets an equally destructive force by the end of the series.
