What are some quotes from Atticus?

Atticus Finch is the patriarch of the family in To Kill a Mockingbird, and he is widely accepted as a giver of wisdom and knowledge both in the text and for real world applications.

"I’d rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird."

This quote, which includes the title of the novel, is an example of Atticus's practical wisdom. He tells his son that he shouldn't shoot after a mockingbird because they do no harm to humans and there is no benefit from harming them—it would be empty violence. This is indicative of his stance later in the novel in regards to Tom Robinson and his legal defense. He believes that this man is innocent and has done no harm, but he is being persecuted simply for his color and his handicap.

"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. Mrs. Dubose won, all ninety-eight pounds of her. She broke her addiction to morphine, which was a very hard thing to do. She was the bravest person I ever knew.”

This quote is an example of Atticus telling his son that bravery is not a physical thing, it is a mental thing. It is not brave to exert physical power over someone, but it is brave to show mental resolve in the face of tribulation. This is exemplified in Atticus's life as he continues his protection of Tom Robinson in spite of the persecution he and his family receive because he believes it is right to defend the innocent man.

“That proves something—that a gang of wild animals can be stopped, simply because they’re still human."

This final quote shows Atticus's understanding of humanity. He had been nearly attacked by a mob the previous night, but his childrens' arrival caused the mob to stop and let him leave. He explains that this mob is still a group of people with feelings and reason, and that to think of them all the way they were that night would be wrong because they are individuals who got swept up in the fervor. He believes that they can just as easily be taken out of that passion when they empathize with others—in this case, by seeing his children and remembering that he has a family and how dreadful it would be to lose their own family members in that same way.