"Dare to live."
Dallas Buyers Club - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
Let me give y'all a little news flash. There ain't nothin' out there can kill fuckin' Ron Woodroof in 30 days.
— Ron Woodroof
Context:
Ron says this to his friends at a bar shortly after receiving his diagnosis. They are shunning him out of fear and prejudice, and his defiant proclamation is his way of asserting his identity and refusing to be seen as a victim.
Meaning:
This line, spoken early in the film after his diagnosis, perfectly encapsulates Ron's defiant, indomitable spirit. It establishes his core character trait: a refusal to accept his fate and a determination to fight back against impossible odds. It's a statement of pure will that sets the tone for his entire journey.
Sometimes I feel like I'm fighting for a life I ain't got time to live.
— Ron Woodroof
Context:
Ron says this to Dr. Eve Saks during a moment of quiet reflection, expressing the weariness that lies beneath his combative exterior as he deals with the endless bureaucracy, travel, and stress of running the club and managing his illness.
Meaning:
This quote reveals the deep emotional and physical toll of Ron's constant struggle. While he projects an image of toughness, this line offers a rare glimpse into his vulnerability and exhaustion. It speaks to the cruel irony of his situation: all his energy is consumed by the fight to stay alive, leaving little room for actually living.
Oh, I'm the drug dealer? No, you're the fuckin' drug dealer. I mean, goddamn, people are dyin'. And y'all are up there afraid that we're gonna find an alternative without you.
— Ron Woodroof
Context:
Ron shouts this at Richard Barkley, an FDA official, during a raid on the Dallas Buyers Club. He is being accused of being a common drug dealer, and he passionately throws the accusation back, defending his actions as morally necessary in a corrupt system.
Meaning:
This is a powerful accusation leveled at the FDA, representing the core argument of the film. Ron reframes the narrative, casting the regulatory body and the pharmaceutical industry—not himself—as the villains who profit from and control life-saving medicine. It's the moment his personal fight becomes a public, political statement.
God sure was dressin' the wrong doll when he blessed you with a set of balls.
— Ron Woodroof
Context:
Ron says this to Rayon later in their friendship, after she has proven her mettle and loyalty as his business partner. The comment marks a shift from his earlier outright hostility to a form of acceptance and camaraderie, albeit expressed in his own rough-hewn language.
Meaning:
Delivered with a mix of his old crude humor and newfound affection, this quote signifies a major turning point in Ron's relationship with Rayon. While on the surface it's a crass joke, it's also his unique way of acknowledging Rayon's courage and strength, showing that he has come to respect and care for her deeply.