Taking control of Arthur Morgan and being a part of the famous Van Der Linde gang led players to one of the most immersive and brilliantly crafted gaming stories ever in Red Dead Redemption 2. There is a lot to the game as the players explore the beautiful settings of Ambarino, New Hannover, West Elizabeth, Lemoyne, and New Austin, and one of its best aspects is the constant stream of great quotes.
The members of the Van Der Linde gang, from the nostalgic and beloved John Marston to the despicable Micah, all have at least a couple of lines that fans will long remember them for.
Updated on August 30th, 2021 by Rhys McGinley: A couple of years after its release fans are still heralding Red Dead Redemption 2 as one of the finest single-player campaigns of the century. The writing throughout the Rockstars hit western-game sequel is incredible, both in the story of Arthur Morgan itself and the dialogue from him and the other characters. Whether they be related to Arthur's moral journey in a changing world, John's story of redemption with his family, or Dutch's increasing level of instability, the game is littered with excellent quotes from members of the Van Der Linde gang.
"You Are The Only Feller Who Got Half Of Their Brain Eaten By Wolves And Ended Up More Intelligent." - Arthur Morgan
At the start of Red Dead Redemption 2, Arthur and John have a tense relationship. To say that Arthur is not massively fond of John is an understatement, and he makes many insulting quips towards him at the beginning of the game.
After tracking and finding John stranded after a wolf attack, Arthur delivers this cutting line. It pretty much sums up Arthur's early treatment of John, whom he has no respect for at this point in the game, and quotes like this may make Arthur seem like a bit of a villain to Red Dead Redemption fans at first. Given Arthur's reasons, it is both understandable and makes this line quite a funny one.
"Thank You." - Arthur Morgan
The relationship built throughout Red Dead Redemption 2 between Arthur/the player and the horse is brilliant. Sticking with one horse for the majority of the game pays off in this heartbreaking final moment with the pair.
As Arthur and John try to make their escape in the final mission of the main game, Arthur's horse dies. Arthur takes a moment and thanks his steed, a moment that is seriously unexpected but so painful, powerful, and wonderful to play and watch.
"If We Have To Fight, We Fight. If We Have To Run, We’ll Run. If We Must Die, We’ll Die. But … We’ll Stay Free." - Javier Escuella
One of the main antagonists of the first Red Dead Redemption game returns for Red Dead 2 as a part of the Van Der Linde gang in the charismatic Javier Escuella, who does not get a lot of time to shine in the game but does get this line.
This quote exemplifies the ideologies of the Van Der Linde gang at this point in time. Freedom, heart, family, all values of the gang prior to its epic downfall. Javier remains loyal to the gang, he truly believes in Dutch. He is more nuanced and does not come across as hateable as the likes of Micah or Bill in Red Dead 2, he just wants to be free with the gang, with those he trusts, loves, and believes in.
"We're More Ghosts Than People Now." - Arthur Morgan
Arthur and Sadie Adler have one of the best dynamics and relationships throughout Red Dead Redemption 2, both being strong-willed, good-hearted people, and two of the most likable in the game.
This quote comes from one of the many standout cutscenes shared with the two, where Sadie gets John to agree to help her get revenge on the O'Driscolls in exchange for help with John and Abigail. It is such a powerful line. These characters have lost so much, and the future does not look like it will get too much better for either of them, especially Arthur. They really are living half a life at this point in the game, for revenge, or so that other people get to live full lives.
"I Ain't Got Too Much To Say No More." - Dutch Van Der Linde
The final mission of the entire game–that sees John and Sadie confronting Micah and, subsequently, Dutch–was full of tension and was wonderfully done. It contains this simple and relatively quiet line from Dutch.
John begs Dutch to say something, and this is all Dutch can muster. It shows how far he has fallen, how much he has lost, and where he is emotionally and mentally at this point in time, all his own doing of course. It contrasts massively from the loud, brash, bold Dutch from the rest of the game.
"We're Thieves In A World That Don't Want Us No More." - Arthur Morgan
Arthur Morgan has a slew of phenomenal quotes throughout his time in the game, and this one sums up a lot of what the game's campaign and Arthur's story are all about.
Arthur and the gang live in a changing Western civilization where outlaws are getting squeezed out, with law and order prevailing, they do not have a place as they used to, and Arthur understands this. There are a few quotes that revolve around this particular arc, and this may be the best.
"Hey, Mister!" - Arthur Morgan
Not necessarily a quote that gets said in any sort of cut scene conversation or one that is massively meaningful or has any kind of tangible impact, but certainly one that sticks with fans, "Hey, mister!" is excellent.
Roger Clark's delivery is perfect, and these moments with Arthur simply greeting people–or when he calls his horse "boahh" or "gurrl"–are some of the most memorable pieces of dialogue in the game. It is not the biggest reflection of Red Dead Redemption 2's incredible masterpiece-level writing and dialogue, but will still stick with players.
"I Believe There's Winners And Losers, And Nothing Else Besides." - Micah Bell
Micah Bell is the single most punchable person in Red Dead Redemption's history and is even more hatable than Dutch to so many fans of the games. This quote seems to pretty much sum him up, considering how much of a weasel he is.
Micah could not care less about the gang or the other members of it. While Arthur would happily die for the rest of the gang, Micah will always save himself, always attempting to survive and win out against the 'losers' who fall.
"You, Sir, Are A Fish." - Arthur Morgan
Going back to Arthur Morgan and again sticking with the more humorous, light-hearted side of the game, this is one of the most random yet inexplicably hilarious moments in the entire game.
It is not a poor insult to another person, but rather a simple statement of fact when Arthur fishes, occasionally telling the fish that they are indeed a fish. It is brilliantly delivered as a dry comment and will catch players off guard in the best way the first time around.
"I Wish I Had Acquired Wisdom At Less Of A Price." - Hosea Matthews
Hosea Matthews is another standout character in the game, and for his time in it, he acts as the right-hand man to Dutch, and a good friend to Arthur, and is probably the most intelligent of the gang.
This quote shows Hosea's acknowledgment of the wisdom he has accumulated over the years, but as players get to know Hosea better, this quote is far more poignant, showing that all these years as an outlaw have taken their toll on him.
"I Guess... I'm Afraid." - Arthur Morgan
Moving back to a more serious, somber Arthur, late in the game, he has a conversation at a train station with a nun from earlier in the game and delivers this powerful quote.
Arthur is sick, the gang is falling apart, as is his relationship with Dutch, he is aware of his own mortality, mortality he is now getting forced to stare directly in the face. This moment of vulnerability pulls on the heartstrings and sticks with players.
"I Ain't Afraid Of Dying." - Sadie Adler
Sadie Adler is a fan-favorite character and is one of the most brilliant inclusions in the game, thankfully surviving to the John portion of the game and beyond.
This quote pretty much sums up her attitude, she has had everything she loved ripped from her, and now any fear of death she once may have had has dissipated. She is fearless, full of vengeful feelings, yet shows herself to be a good-hearted person still.
"Be Loyal To What Matters." - Arthur Morgan
John Marston and Arthur's relationship is one full of ups and downs, starting with severe tension, particularly from Arthur, who appeared to straight up not like John. Over time though, their friendship blossomed.
This quote comes in a late-game conversation between the two as they discuss Dutch's nonsense, as well as loyalty, with Arthur telling John to get out, that his family matter far more than whatever it is they are doing under the leadership of Dutch.
"I Have A Plan." - Dutch Van Der Linde
Speaking of the leader of the Van Der Linde gang, players genuinely get to see Dutch's downward spiral into psychopathic throughout this game, and that gets exemplified through his relentless insistence that he has some grand plan.
Dutch's constant comments about having a plan, needing more money, one last big score, Tahiti, and others having faith in him are so incredibly tiring, and also the most memeable aspect of the game that has, and will continue to stick with fans. It is a crucial part of the plot - which some unpopularly believe is dragged out and boring - and downfall of the gang. Dutch's continuous insistence on having a plan eventually annoys players and sees other characters lose faith in him
"I Gave You All I Had. I Did." - Arthur Morgan
You could pretty much take the entire last sequence of Arthur's portion of the game and choose any line from it and pick it as being one of the most memorable of the game, whether it be telling John to leave or declaring Micah a rat to Dutch.
This one, though, is harrowing. Dying, struggling to muster up any significant breath, and done in from a fight with Micah, Arthur tells Dutch the truth, Arthur gave Dutch his life and got betrayed. It is a heartbreaking moment, coming before Arthur crawls up and watches the sun set on his story.