Inherit the Wind

Rachel Brown:
I don't understand it, and what I do understand I don't like. I don't believe I came from apes and monkeys. You see, I really haven't thought very much. I was always afraid of what I might think. It seemed safer not to think at all. Maybe - maybe what Mr. Darwin wrote is bad. Bad or good I think ideas have to come out. I think they should be heard. I don't think they ought to pass laws against them.

Matthew Harrison Brady:
People ask whether this trial is to be held in this little town of Hillsboro. I say that the greatest man that ever walked the face of the earth was born in a little town. That town was called Bethlehem. We don't measure greatness by the size of where we live. We measure greatness by those principles we live by. My dear friends. You know, yesterday at that marvelous picnic they gave Lucy and me they were serving watermelon. Hmmm. Delicious. I couldn't help thinking about that watermelon last night. I know. You're all looking at yourself and saying: "Watermelon? What on earth is Brady talking about?" My dear friends, I am talking about the sheer glory of God's creation. Beautiful luscious green on the outside and inside the green a layer of white, and within the white, a core of red. And scattered within that red are little black seeds. Now, each of these seeds gathers from somewhere ten thousand times its own weight to construct another glorious watermelon. Who drew the plan by which these little seeds work their wonder, huh? WHO? Until the scientists of this world can explain to me a watermelon, NEVER let them question the power of the Almighty!

Matthew Harrison Brady:
Your Honor, I wish Mr. Drummond to have all the latitude he wants. We know what he's after. He's here to condemn revealed religion. I am here to defend it. Well, let him ask any question he may wish. I am perfectly willing to sit here and protect the world of God against the greatest atheist in the United States! Let him sneer. Let him show his disrespect.

Matthew Harrison Brady:
You're only pleading the case of the prosecution with your contempt for all that is holy.

Matthew Harrison Brady:
They laughed at me, Lucy. They laughed at me. God forbid I should fail here and now.

Lucy Brady:
I know, darling. But, after all, it is just one teacher in Hillsboro.

Matthew Harrison Brady:
One? One teacher is enough to bring this country back to where we were before. I tell you, Lucy, we've got to stop them now. Thank God there is still time. I'm drafting a closing argument that will bring the Henry Drummonds of this world to their knees. Listen, Lucy: "Religion isn't hostile to learning. But can we ever permit learning that encourages godlessness in our schools?"

Lucy Brady:
Absolutely right, darling. Absolutely right.

Matthew Harrison Brady:
God is holding my hand. I can feel the strength of the lion.