The Good Earth Quotes

O-Lan: When I go back in that house, it will be with my son in my arms. I'll have a red coat on him... and red flower trousers... and a hat with a gilded Buddha and tiger-faced shoes, and I'll go into the kitchen where I spent my days as a slave and into the great hall where the old mistress sits with her pipe, and I'll show myself and my son to all of them.

O-Lan: [Smiles, contented] Hmm.

Wang Lung: Well... Now, I... I haven't heard you speak so many words since you came to this house.

Wang Lung: If you could have a little food, you'd have strength to bring the child. I'll find it. Tomorrow I'll...

O-Lan: When have you had food ?

Wang Lung: There's a thing in me that hurts... and not hunger. But a man has no words.

O-Lan: No words... but I know.

Wang Lung: O-Lan, the earth has forgotten us.

Wang Lung: [must sell his land to feed his family but the buyers take advantage of him] Thieves ! Thieves ! And well you know I must sell.

O-Lan: No ! Not the land. We'll not sell the land. We'll keep it. We'll go south and when we return, we'll still have the land.

Uncle: But I've arranged it. I brought these men here. You MUST sell !

O-Lan: Is it your land ? Did you buy it bit by bit ? The land is our life... and it's better to go south... or die walking... than to give it to you for nothing.

Liu - Grain Merchant: Mr. Wang, two clever sons like these are the better half of your wealth.

Wang Lung: They're stupid, worthless creatures. If anything was driven into their thick, brass skulls it was by beating them. I told their teacher to beat them. He beat them so well that this one's going to the university.

Liu - Grain Merchant: Indeed.

Elder Son: If I'm not too unworthy, I hope to win a degree in agriculture.

Liu - Grain Merchant: Degree ? Agriculture ?

Wang Lung: That's some kind of paper that will make it rain just enough, but not too much.

Aunt: When a farmer buys silk robes and washes his whole body every day, there's a woman. That's sure !

Uncle: But a rich man may have two wives but the wife must cling to her husband. That is as it should be.

Aunt: That's right. A woman is allowed but one mistake.

Uncle: Of course. Now then, it is said: you may see a teapot with four teacups, but did you ever see a teacup with four teapots ?

Aunt: It is also said: do you ever see two spoons in the same bowl that do not knock against each other ?

Wang Lung: Where are all these soldiers going ?

Unidentified laborer: They say there's a revolution coming.

Wang Lung: Revolution ? What is revolution ?

Unidentified laborer: I don't know but it has something to do with food.

[first lines]

Wang Lung: This is the day.