The 15 Best Big Lebowski Quotes That Really Tie The Room Together

Bathrobes, bowling, and a rug that really ties a room together. These three things instantly trigger great memories of the comedy classic movie The Big Lebowski. The Coen Brothers directed a brilliant film but the script is nothing short of a masterpiece. There are so great Big Lebowski quotes that it was hard to narrow down a few for this article.

Following up on their 1996 award-winning film Fargo, The Big Lebowski (1998) is a black comedy about a California slacker, “The Dude” (Jeff Bridges), who accidentally gets involved in a kidnapping crime after a case of mistaken identity. The 1990s caper was named #8 on Entertainment Weekly‘s list of the Funniest Movies Of The Past 25 Years.

Pour yourself the perfect White Russian cocktail because the Dude abides. We’ve got some of the best Big Lebowski quotes for your enjoyment.

I’m The Dude

Get it right: The Dude is NOT “Mr. Lebowski”. He has to explain things to The Big Lebowski.

• Lebowski: Are you employed, Mr. Lebowski?
• The Dude: Wait, let me explain something to you… I am not Mr. Lebowski, you’re Mr. Lebowki! I’m “The Dude”! So, that’s what you call me. That or, uh His Dudeness, or uh Duder, or El Duderino, if you’re not into the whole brevity thing.

Are You Employed?

• The Big Lebowski: Are you employed, sir?
• The Dude: Employed?
• The Big Lebowski: You don’t go out looking for a job dressed like that? On a weekday?
• The Dude: Is this a… what day is this?
• The Big Lebowski: Well, I do work sir, so if you don’t mind…
• The Dude: I do mind, The Dude minds. This will not stand, ya know, this aggression will not stand, man.

That Rug Really Tied The Room Together

The entire movie revolves around the Dude’s infamous rug. It’s what kicked everything off.

• The Dude: Yeah man. It really tied the room together.
• Donny: What tied the room together dude?
• The Dude: My rug.

There’s A Beverage Here

• (Being forced into a limousine)
• The Dude: Hey, careful, man, there’s a beverage here!

Nobody F*$ks With The Jesus

As you can tell already from these Big Lebowski quotes, The Dude’s lines are perfectly quotable at all times. But who can forget John Turturro’s purple suit-wearing character called Jesus Quintana and this famous line?

• Jesus Quintana: Are you ready to be fucked, man? I see you rolled your way into the semis. Dios Mio, man. Liam and me, we’re gonna fuck you up.
• The Dude: Yeah, well, you know, that’s just like, uh, your opinion, man.
• Jesus Quintana: Let me tell *you* something, pendejo. You pull any of your crazy shit with us, you flash a piece out on the lanes, I’ll take it away from you, and stick it up your ass and pull the fucking trigger ’til it goes “click.”
• The Dude: Jesus.
• Jesus Quintana: You said it, man. Nobody fucks with the Jesus. (walks away)
• Walter Sobchak: Eight-year-olds, Dude.

When You’re Right, You’re… An Asshole

• Walter Sobchak: Am I wrong?
• The Dude: No you’re not wrong.
• Walter Sobchak: Am I wrong?
• The Dude: You’re not wrong Walter. You’re just an asshole.
• Walter Sobchak: Okay then.

Your Opinion

Disagree with someone? Want them to know it? Let the dude be your guide. One line and you’ve dismissed their faulty assumptions.

• The Dude: Yeah, well, you know, that’s just like, uh, your opinion, man.

Nice Marmot

• The Dude: Hey, nice marmot.

I Hate The F*cking Eagles

How many times have you heard the song Hotel California this week? The Eagles are on every classic rock radio station in every town. Plus their music is played on the loudspeakers everywhere you go including stores, elevators, and doctor’s waiting rooms. Does your opinion of The Eagles line up with The Dude?

• The Dude: I hate the f*cking Eagles, man.

This Is A Very Complicated Case Maude

• The Dude: This is a very complicated case Maude. You know, a lotta ins, a lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.

Let’s Go Bowling

• The Dude: F*ck it, Dude. Let’s go bowling.

The Dude Abides

The Dude runs into a stranger in his bowling alley who asks him how he’s doing. He naturally gives the ultimate laid-back response. No wonder The Dude abides in all of our hearts.

• The Stranger: Take it easy, Dude.
• The Dude: Oh yeah!
• The Stranger: I know that you will.
• The Dude: Yeah, well… The Dude abides.

NERD NOTE: The famous Big Lebowski quote, “The Dude abides”, is a reference to Ecclesiastes 1:4 in The Bible. The passage reads: “One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but the Earth abides forever.” It refers to how The Dude is like the Earth. They both can endure change and chaos, but endure those experiences and still remain the same.

This Is What Happens When You F*ck A Stranger In The ______

• Walter Sobchak: This is what happens when you f*ck a stranger in the ass, Larry.

NERD NOTE: “Clean” versions of movies are often created so that they can air on broadcast television. This process usually involves removing scenes with nudity or violence and overdubbing dialogue with profanity. To make the overdub look natural, the new audio needs to match the facial movement and syllables of the original dialogue as much as possible. For the broadcast version of the film, the famous The Big Lebowski quote, “This is what happens when you f*ck a stranger in the ass!” was changed to “This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps!” The edit is not only funny, but it’s often referenced as one of the most clever overdubs of all time.

Obviously You’re Not A Golfer

• The Dude: Obviously you’re not a golfer.

Donny’s Ashes Scene: Goodnight, Sweet Prince.

• Walter: Donny was a good bowler and a good man. He was one of us. He was a man who loved the outdoors…and bowling. And as a surfer, he explored the beaches of Southern California, from La Jolla to Leo Carrillo and up to… Pismo. He died, like so many young men of his generation. He died before his time. In your wisdom, Lord, you took him, as you took so many bright, flowering, young men at Khe Sanh, at Langdok, at Hill 364. These young men gave their lives and so would Donny. Donny, who loved bowling. And so, Theodore Donald Karabotsos, in accordance with what we think your dying wishes might well have been, we commit your final mortal remains to the bosom of the Pacific Ocean, which you loved so well. Goodnight, sweet prince.
• (Donny pours out Donny’s ashes into the wind which blows into The Due’s face)
• The Dude: God damn you, Walter! You f*ckin’ asshole! Everything’s a f*ckin’ travesty with you, man! And what was all that sh!t about Vietnam? What the F*CK, has anything got to do with Vietnam? What the f*ck are you talking about?

The Most Famous Big Lebowski Quotes

We can’t get enough of these Big Lebowski quotes. There are so many more unforgettable quotes and scenes, there’s no way to include them all on one list. It seems like right now might be a perfect time to watch this comedy classic for the millionth time. Maybe do some light Tai Chi or invite your bowling buddies over for movie night.

Want more movie quotes? Interested to learn some behind the scenes facts about your favorite films? Check out our entertainment section for tons of crazy, cool, and quotable information!