- [Camera close-up on an open book]: The primary duty of a lawyer exercising the office of public prosecutor is not to convict, but to see that justice is done. -The Lawyers' Code of Ethics.
- Off-Screen Narrator: But his everyday work was with the people of his parish, and especially with those who sought his advice and counsel. Since he was a man of God, his labors sometimes led him into the strange and secret places of men's souls. He was just and forgiving, but he was also a man, and a stern and uncompromising judge of character.
- Father George A. Lambert: [speaking to an anguished-looking middle-aged man] Stop that! Even if I wanted to forgive you, I... I couldn't. It's out of my hands.
- [pause]
- Father George A. Lambert: Jim, you're a sick man.
- Jim Crossman: But Father, I...
- Father George A. Lambert: We've been through it all before. I can't help you. The sanitarium, perhaps...
- Jim Crossman: No, I won't! If... if people would just...
- Father George A. Lambert: It's not people, son, it's you. I've told you that before. This time, fortunately, no great harm has been done. But the next time... No, I can't let you go any longer. It's got to be a sanitarium. Have you spoken to your mother about this?
- Jim Crossman: [panicked] You wouldn't tell her!
- Father George A. Lambert: I haven't spoken to anyone.
- Jim Crossman: What about Father Gardiner?
- Father George A. Lambert: Oh, Jim, you're starting all over again. This is just between the two of us. I prefer that you make up your own mind, son, but if you can't... I won't wait long. For your own sake, I can't wait long.
- [Jim slowly turns his head toward the priest, looking dazed and frightened, then turns and walks away]
- T.M. Wade: McDonald, I just made one mistake. I should have known by now that there's one thing you can't beat in politics, and that's a completely honest man.