Johnny Cade is a character from S.E. Hinton’s acclaimed novel, The Outsiders. Known for his boyish appearance and soft-spoken nature, Johnny is a loyal friend and a key player in the tensions between the rival gangs, the Greasers and the Socs.
“Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold,” is perhaps one of the most memorable quotes about Johnny in The Outsiders. Johnny’s last words to his best friend, Ponyboy, before he dies, encapsulate his desire for Ponyboy to hold onto his innocence and compassion in a world that often seems harsh and unforgiving.
Throughout the novel, Johnny is portrayed as a quiet and sensitive character who has experienced a great deal of pain and abuse. “I’m scared, okay?” he confesses to Ponyboy at one point, revealing his vulnerability and fear in the face of the ongoing gang violence.
Despite his troubled past and the difficult circumstances of his life, Johnny’s actions demonstrate his inner strength and courage. When he and Ponyboy find themselves in a life-threatening situation, Johnny selflessly sacrifices himself to save the lives of a group of children trapped in a burning church.
Johnny’s character arc in The Outsiders is a testament to the endurance of the human spirit and the power of friendship. His impact on the other characters and the memorable quotes he leaves behind make him a beloved and unforgettable presence in the novel.
Heartwarming Johnny Quotes
- “Y’know, some people have it harder than us, Soda. I always thought we had it pretty tough. But at least we’ve got each other.” – Johnny
- “We gotta keep our heads up and stay gold, Ponyboy. No matter what happens, we stick together.” – Johnny
- “I may be little, but I can still make a difference in this world.” – Johnny
- “You’re a hero, Ponyboy. Don’t ever forget that. You saved those kids’ lives.” – Johnny
- “Sometimes it’s hard to see the good in people, but I think there’s good in everyone, even the socs.” – Johnny
- “You’re my brother, Ponyboy. I’d do anything for you.” – Johnny
- “I don’t want to die, but if it means saving you and the rest of the gang, then I’m okay with it.” – Johnny
- “We might not have much, but we’ve got each other and that’s all that matters.” – Johnny
- “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had, Ponyboy. Thank you for always being there for me.” – Johnny
- “No matter what happens, I’ll always be right here with you, Ponyboy. You’re not alone.” – Johnny
Inspiring Quotes from Johnny’s Character
“You get tough like me and you don’t get hurt. You look out for yourself and nothin’ can touch you… I’ve been thinking about it, and that’s the only thing that’s bothering me. That maybe someday they’ll catch me from behind.”
“I used to talk about killing myself… but I don’t want to die now. It ain’t long enough. Sixteen years ain’t gonna be long enough.”
“Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold…”
“We gotta win that fight tonight. We gotta get even with the Socs. For Johnny.”
“I killed him,” he said slowly. “I killed that boy.”
“It’s okay, Ponyboy. It’s okay.”
“I think I like it better when the old man’s hittin’ me. At least when my father’s plug comes unplugged, he don’t beat me. He just… forgets me. I ain’t never going back to that.”
“You know, the only thing that keeps Darry from being a Soc is us.”
“Golly. The way that church was falling apart, we thought it was gonna fall on us.”
“Maybe the two different worlds we lived in weren’t so different. We saw the same sunset.”
Unforgettable Johnny Lines
Johnny Cade, a character from the novel “The Outsiders”, left a lasting impression with his thoughtful and poignant lines. Here are some unforgettable quotes from Johnny:
- “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.”
- “You still have a lot of time to make yourself be what you want. There’s still lots of good in the world.”
- “It’s okay… I’ve always been scared of dying. It’s just that I don’t want to die for a greasy hood, and I don’t want to die for nothin’.”
- “I killed him. I killed that boy.”
- “You’d better wise up, Pony… you get tough like me and you don’t get hurt. You look out for yourself and nothin’ can touch you.”
- “We beat the socs. We’re greasers. We’re tougher than they are.”
- “I think I like it better when the old man’s hittin’ me. At least then I know he knows who I am.”
- “I used to talk about killing myself… It’s still the same, only now the fighting is between the socs and the greasers or between Bob and me. Fighting’s staying alive. It’s the only way to stay alive if you’re a greaser.”
- “I’m scared, Johnny… scared stiff.”
These lines showcase Johnny’s vulnerability, his yearning for a better world, and his loyalty and bravery in the face of adversity. They show the depth of his character and the impact he had on the other characters in the novel.
Powerful Johnny Quotes that Make You Think
2. “I used to talk about killing myself…I don’t wanna die now. It ain’t long enough. Sixteen years ain’t gonna be long enough. I wouldn’t mind it so much if there wasn’t so much stuff we ain’t done yet and so many things we ain’t seen.” – Johnny
3. “I killed him.” – Johnny (referring to Bob)
4. “Leave them alone, for Christ’s sake!” – Johnny (standing up for Ponyboy and Cherry when the Socs were harassing them)
5. “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.” – Johnny (his last words to Ponyboy before he dies)
6. “It’s not fair for Ponyboy to have to stay up in that church with Dally and me with those Socs on our trail. I’ll talk to Dally.” – Johnny (showing his loyalty and willingness to protect his friends)
7. “I’m sorry I let you get into this mess.” – Johnny (feeling guilty for getting Ponyboy involved in the conflict with the Socs)
8. “I don’t want to die now. There’s still so much I haven’t done.” – Johnny
9. “I don’t know. But you’re better than the whole bunch of them put together.” – Johnny (talking to Ponyboy about how he values his qualities)
10. “It’s just like when you’ve got some coffee that’s too black for me to drink. You pour it into a cup, it’s too black. It sits there, gets cold, and blacker and colder, till pretty soon it’s up to your throat.” – Johnny (referring to the pressure and darkness he feels from his difficult life)
Johnny’s Wise Words
Throughout the novel The Outsiders, Johnny Cade proves to be a character wise beyond his years. Despite his troubled circumstances, Johnny often offers words of wisdom that resonate with his friends and readers alike.
- “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold. “
- “It’s not fair for only one side to get all the breaks.”
- “I used to talk about killing myself all the time, man. But I don’t wanna die now. It ain’t long enough. Sixteen years ain’t gonna be enough for me. “
- “That’s what I’ll do. Turn myself in. I ain’t gonna let you get used to somethin’ like that. Not even for you.”
- “You know, sometimes I used to sneak over and watch you and Soda working on cars. I used to wish I could tell what you were thinking.’
These quotes from Johnny demonstrate his deep understanding of the world around him and his willingness to stand up for what is right, even if it means sacrificing himself. Johnny’s wise words serve as a reminder to readers that wisdom can come from unexpected places and that the lessons learned from those who have experienced adversity can be invaluable.
Remarkable Quotes from Johnny’s Journey
- “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.” – Johnny’s final words before passing away
- “You get tough like me and you don’t get hurt. You look out for yourself and nothin’ can touch you…” – Johnny’s advice to Ponyboy
- “I killed him… I killed that boy.” – Johnny’s remorse after killing Bob
- “Useless… fighting’s no good…” – Johnny’s realization about the senselessness of violence
- “We gotta get out of here. Run away… like we did before.” – Johnny’s plan to escape their troubled lives
- “Pain was a wall you passed through, and on the other side was acceptance.” – Johnny’s thoughts on dealing with pain
- “It’s not fair for Ponyboy to have to stay in that hellhole… Someone should tell him that.” – Johnny’s concern for Ponyboy’s well-being
- “I don’t want to die…. It ain’t long enough.” – Johnny’s fear of death
- “You’re a hero, Johnny. You saved those kids.” – Ponyboy’s praise for Johnny’s bravery
- “I used to talk about killing myself… I don’t want to die now.” – Johnny’s growth and desire to live
Memorable Johnny Quotes about Friendship
- “I wouldn’t be alive without my buddies. They mean everything to me.”
- “Ponyboy, you’re my best friend. You’ve always got my back and I’ve got yours.”
- “Friends are the family we choose. And you guys are the best family I could ask for.”
- “I’ve learned that true friendship is always there, no matter what.”
- “When you have friends like mine, you never feel alone. They make every day better.”
- “A friend is someone who will stick with you through the toughest times. I’m lucky to have friends like that.”
- “Friendship is trust, and I trust my friends with my life.”
- “I may be scared, but with my friends by my side, I can conquer anything.”
- “Friends are the ones who pick us up when we fall. I’m grateful for the friends who have always been there for me.”
- “Friendship is a bond that can never be broken. My friends have proven that to me time and time again.”