other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience" (Lee 140).

Atticus displays integrity by deciding to follow his conscience in the face of adversity. He makes the noble, morally upright choice to defend Tom Robinson despite the negative reaction he receives from the Maycomb community.

In Chapter 23, Atticus tells his children that a relative of Mr. Cunningham initially wanted to acquit Tom Robinson. He goes on to explain that the Cunninghams are a family that has integrity and respect. Scout says,

"He said the Cunninghams hadn't taken anything from or off of anybody since they migrated to the New World. He said the other thing about them was, once you earned their respect they were for you tooth and nail" (Lee 298). 

Humility

In Chapter 10, Atticus shoots and kills a rabid dog in one shot. His children are amazed and ask Maudie why Atticus never told them he was the deadliest shot in Maycomb. Maudie explains to the children that Atticus is a civilized individual who recognizes that his talent is a gift from God. She says,

"People in their right minds never take pride in their talents" (Lee 130).

Instead of bragging about his marksmanship abilities, Atticus displays humility by not mentioning his incredible talent.

In Chapter 12, Calpurnia takes the children to First Purchase African M.E. for Sunday service. Scout notices that Calpurnia speaks differently around her community members. Scout asks, "why do you talk nigger-talk to the---to your folks when you know it's not right?" (Lee 167). Calpurnia says,

"It's not necessary to tell all you know. It's not lady-like---in the second place, folks don't like to have somebody around knowin' more than they do. It aggravates 'em" (Lee 167).

Instead of flaunting her ability to articulate, Calpurnia chooses to speak humbly with an informal dialect so she will not come across as overly refined.

As a lawyer, Atticus faces a tough case when he defends Tom Robinson, an African American man facing charges of rape. Many citizens of Maycomb County believe that Atticus "shouldn’t do much about defending this man." However, Atticus plans to defend Tom to the best of his ability. Atticus shares his reasons for defending Tom by explaining to Scout, "The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again." Atticus shows courage by defending Tom while knowing the difficulty he and his children will face as a result.

Atticus also shows courage where Mrs. Dubose is concerned. Although Mrs. Dubose rarely has anything nice to say, he remains courteous to her by sharing news from the courthouse and wishing her a good day. Then, with Scout on his shoulders, he returns home. Scout recalls thinking that during these moments, Atticus "was the bravest man who ever lived." When Mrs. Dubose dies, Atticus informs the children that she was addicted to morphine. However, because Jem reads to her daily as a consequence for destroying her camellia bushes, she is able to overcome her addiction. The reading serves as a distraction for her. Atticus explains to Jem that, "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." Respectful of what she was able to do, Atticus tells them she was the "bravest person I ever knew." Atticus shows courage in his ability to overlook Mrs. Dubose's hateful comments, and he shows compassion by understanding her difficult situation.

In Chapter 15, Atticus goes to guard the jail while Tom is imprisoned there. He knows that a mob might show up for Tom and he is correct. Atticus does have Mr. Underwood watching his back, but it still takes courage to confront the mob when they arrive. Atticus tells Walter Cunningham Sr. to take the mob home: 

“You can turn around and go home again, Walter,” Atticus said pleasantly. “Heck Tate’s around somewhere.” 

Walter says that Tate is off hunting, but Atticus stands his ground. Ironically, it is the children who show up and persuade the mob to leave. 

In his summary at the end of the trial, he boldly points out that all of the state's witnesses (with the exception of Sheriff Tate) have a racial bias. This is central to his case, but it is a brave (and necessary) move in order to complete his point that the case has been motivated by race and if Tom is convicted, it will be a travesty of justice, also motivated by racism: 

The witnesses for the state, with the exception of the sheriff of Maycomb County, have presented themselves to you gentlemen, to this court, in the cynical confidence that their testimony would not be doubted, confident that you gentlemen would go along with them on the assumption—the evil assumption—that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women, an assumption one associates with minds of their caliber.  

In other words, Atticus bluntly points out that the state's witnesses have used racist motives to frame their story. He is saying to the jury, "if you go along with this racist presentation, then your are no better than they are." He challenges the jury to consider their own racist tendencies. It's a bold, but necessary move. 

THE MAD DOG.  At the beginning of Chapter 10, Scout complains about her father being old and "feeble," but by the end of the day she discovers a hidden talent that makes her proud of her father. When a mad dog comes staggering down Scout's street, it is Atticus who is handed the rifle by Sheriff Tate to take down the dog.

     In a fog, Jem and I watched our father take the gun and walk out into the middle of the street... In front of the Radley gate, Tim Johnson had made up what was left of his mind... He made two steps forward... We saw his body go rigid.
     The rifle cracked. Tim Johnson leaped... He didn't know what hit him.  (Chapter 10)

Although he had not shot a gun in 30 years, Atticus--the best shot in Maycomb County as a youth--had not lost his touch.

TAKING TOM'S CASE.  Atticus didn't volunteer to defend Tom Robinson, but when the case was assigned to him, he accepted--knowing it could bring trouble for him and his family.

"You know, I'd hoped to get through life without a case of this kind, but John Taylor pointed at me and said 'You're It.'...
"But do you think I could face my children otherwise?"  (Chapter 9)

THE LYNCH MOB.  When Atticus learns that there may be trouble at the jail after Tom Robinson is transferred there, Atticus decides to stand watch by himself. When two carloads of men arrive, bent on taking and lynching Tom, Atticus boldly stands his ground.

     "You know what we want," another man said. "Get away from the door, Mr. Finch."
     "You can turn around and go home again, Arthur," Atticus said pleasantly. "Heck Tate's around somewhere."
     "The hell he is... Called him off on a snipe hunt... Didn't you think about that, Mr. Finch?"
     "Thought about it, but didn't believe it. Well then," my father's voice was still the same, "that changes things, doesn't it?"
     "It do..."
     "Do you really think so?"  (Chapter 15)

It didn't change things for Atticus, who meant to defend Tom even at the risk of his own life.

Because To Kill a Mockingbird is told by Scout Finch, many descriptions of her father, Atticus, are from her perspective. She also provides comments about him from her brother, Jem. As the novel progresses, the children gain more opportunities to learn about their father from other townspeople. From the advice that he gives them as a parent, the reader learns the qualities he embodies and the values he wants to impart.

After a disastrous start to school, Scout complains to her father about the teacher having criticized her for knowing how to read. Scout’s view is that the teacher is wrong, but Atticus encourages her to consider the other person’s perspective. At numerous other points in the novel, he repeats this advice. This conversation describes him as a caring parent who listens to his daughter and especially as an empathetic person. Atticus tells Scout,

If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.

Scout and Jem think their father—a lawyer who works in an office—is “old” and not strong. She says, “Atticus was feeble: he was nearly fifty.” When he kills a rabid dog, they learn that he is a sharpshooter. Conversations with adults reveal that he is not only talented but humble and fair. Sheriff Tate and their neighbor Miss Maudie reveal that his former nickname was “One-Shot Finch.” Miss Maudie also says that shooting was “a gift of God” and that he

put down his gun when he realized that God had given him an unfair advantage over most living things.

Another quote describing Atticus shows him trying to teach the children about courage. Atticus had ordered Jem to spend time with their neighbor Mrs. Dubose after Jem behaved rudely. After she dies, Atticus explains to the children that she had been seriously ill and fighting dependency on pain medicine.

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 see it through no matter what.

In chapter 9, Atticus explains to his daughter why he is defending Tom Robinson and encourages Scout to control her anger. Atticus reveals his tolerant, affectionate personality by reminding Scout that the people he is challenging are their neighbors. Despite their different opinions, Atticus explains to Scout that she must not become bitter and instead should remain tolerant at all times. Atticus says,

"It’s different this time . . . This time we aren’t fighting the Yankees, we’re fighting our friends. But remember this, no matter how bitter things get, they’re still our friends and this is still our home." (Lee, 79)

Following the mob scene in chapter 15, Atticus reveals that he is a respectful, tolerant man by not criticizing Walter Cunningham. Despite the fact that Walter lied to Sheriff Tate and attempted to lynch Tom Robinson, Atticus tells his children,

"Mr. Cunningham’s basically a good man . . . he just has his blind spots along with the rest of us." (159)

In chapter 23, Miss Stephanie recalls how Bob Ewell spit in Atticus's face at the post office then challenged him to a fight. She says that Atticus simply wiped the spit from his face and calmly rejected Bob's challenge. Atticus's composed, tolerant demeanor once again reveals his respectful nature. When Bob asks if Atticus is too proud to fight, Atticus simply responds, "No, too old" (221). 

There are many examples that show how Atticus is probably not only the most respectful man in Maycomb but also the most respected. One of my favorites comes after the trial of Tom Robinson, when Tom's friends show their admiration for Atticus in true Southern culinary fashion.

The kitchen table was loaded with enough food to bury the family: hunks of salt pork, tomatoes, beans, even scuppernongs...
     Calpurnia said, "... They 'preciate what you did, Mr. Finch. They--they aren't oversteppin' themselves, are they?"

Atticus no doubt " 'preciated" the food, but he knew that Tom's black friends couldn't afford this type of gratitude.

     Atticus's eyes filled with tears. He did not speak for a moment. "Tell them I'm very grateful," he said. "Tell them--tell them they must never do this again. Times are too hard..."

Atticus is even respectful toward cranky, old Mrs. Dubose, who often refers to him as a "nigger-lover."

When the three of us came to her house, Atticus would sweep off his hat, wave gallantly to her and say, "Good evening, Mrs. Dubose. You look like a picture this evening."
     I never heard Atticus say like a picture of what.

After Boo Radley comes to the children's rescue on Halloween night, Atticus respectfully acknowledges his deed.

When he got up and walked across the porch into the shadows, his youthful step had returned. Before he went into the house, he stopped in front of Boo Radley. "Thank you for my children, Arthur," he said.

Throughout the novel, Atticus Finch is subjected to criticism by the prejudiced community members of Maycomb for his decision to defend Tom Robinson. Atticus is even targeted and ridiculed by his own family members. In Chapter 9, Francis Hancock tells Scout,

"I guess it ain’t your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I’m here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family—" (Lee 52).

Francis' comment depicts his family's negative views of Atticus. Francis' grandmother, Aunt Alexandra, believes that Atticus is ruining the family's reputation by defending a black man.

Scout and Jem are even subjected to derogatory comments aimed at their father by racist community members. In Chapter 11, Mrs. Dubose tells the children,

"Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for!" (Lee 64).

Mrs. Dubose's comment is prejudiced towards Atticus and portrays her unapologetic, racist beliefs.

During Aunt Alexandra's missionary circle, Mrs. Merriweather indirectly criticizes Atticus for defending Tom Robinson. She says,

"I tell you there are some good but misguided people in this town. Good, but misguided. Folks in this town who think they’re doing right, I mean. Now far be it from me to say who, but some of ’em in this town thought they were doing the right thing a while back, but all they did was stir ’em up. That’s all they did" (Lee 141).

Mrs. Merriweather is prejudiced against Atticus because she feels that his beliefs are misguided and harmful. She does not support Atticus' effort to defend Tom Robinson.

To further the discussion of lines and passages spoken by Atticus Finch, Scout and Jim's father explains one day why he has made Jem read to Mrs. Dubose:  He wants him to see what real courage is.

Courage is not a man with a gun in his hand.  It's knowing 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.

After dinner one Christmas, Uncle Jack talks with Atticus about the forthcoming trial of Tom Robinson, suggesting that maybe Atticus could get out of defending Tom. However, Atticus remarks that he must accept responsibility:

...Right.  But do you think I could face my children otherwise?  You know what's going to happen as well as I do, Jack, and I hope and pray I cna get Jem and Scout  through it without bitterness, and most of all, without catching Maycomb's usual disease. 

In Chapter 11 Atticus scolds Jem for cutting the tops of Mrs. Dubose's camellias in anger over her derogatory remarks about his father.  Atticus tells the children that he regrets that they are the butt of insults,

.."but sometimes we have to make the best of things, and the way we conduct ourselves when the chps are down--well,...maybe you'll look back on this with some compassion and some feeling that I didn't let you down.  This case, Tom Robinson's case is something that goes to the essence of a man's conscience--Scout, I couldn't go to church and worship God if I didn't try to help that man."

When Scout counters with "Atticus, you must be wrong..." because "most folks" are of another opinion, Atticus tells her,

"They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions...but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself.  The one thing that dosen't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."

Nearly everything Atticus says reflects his values and principles.  I'll give you three of the most significant and common ones, and there will be plenty for others to add, I'm sure.

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."

This is indicative of Atticus's belief that everyone has a story and deserves respect just for living.  He applies this philosophy to some pretty difficult circumstannces: Mayella in the courtroom, Mrs. Dubose as she's villifying both him and his children, the Cunninghams who come to cause trouble (or worse) at the jailhouse, and Bob Ewell spitting in his face.  Atticus encourages his kids to follow this principle, and he lives it out in front of them every day.

"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy... but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." 

This is Atticus's figurative way of saying things that are innocent and harmless and just trying to be who God created them to be should be left alone to make whatever music they're called to make.  In the course of this novel, several characters might qualify as mockingbirds; however, the two most obvious are Boo Radley and Tom Robinson.  Even Scout sees the comparison at the end of the book, when it is decided not to reveal to the town that Boo was responsible for Bob Ewell's death.  He would have been the town hero, but that would have been like releasing the hounds to the fox--in a good but overwhelming way.  He would not have been able to withstand all the attention.  Tom is another innocent figure who did nothing more than an act of human kindness for a young, lonely girl.  That "song" of kindness was cut short and he was sentenced and shot, despite his innocence.  Like Atticus says, that's a sin. 

The last quote comes at the end of Atticus's closing argument at Tom's trial.  The entire speech is worth quoting, but I'm confident you already know the piece: 

"Now, gentlemen, in this country our courts are the great levelers. In our courts, all men are created equal. I'm no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and of our jury system. That's no ideal to me. That is a living, working reality!

Now I am confident that you gentlemen will review without passion the evidence that you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this man to his family.

In the name of God, do your duty. In the name of God, believe Tom Robinson."

There's more to the speech, of course, but this is a reflection of Atticus's belief in the law, in his fellow man, and in the innocence of his client.  Atticus does not believe everyone is innocent, of course; he does, however, believe that innocent people should and can be treated fairly in the name of the law and in the name of God--and despite their skin color.

That should get you started, and don't be surprised if the list gets too long to deal with effectively!

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.

There are many situations in the book where Atticus uses the situation to teach a lesson to the children.

1. When Scout has trouble at school with Miss Caroline.  Atticus tells her,

"...if you learn a certain trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks.  You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." (pg 30)

He repeats this lesson when Mr. Cunningham becomes part of the mob at the jail.  He tells the children,

"Mr. Cunningham's basically a good man...he just has his blind spots along with the rest of us......Every mob in every little Southern town is always made up of people you know--doesn't say much for them, does it?  .....you children last night made Walter Cunningham walk in my shoes for a minute.  That was enough." (pg 157)

2. When Scout asks him why he is defending a Negro, Atticus replies,

"The main one (reason) is, if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town.  I couldn't represent this county in the legislature. I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again." (pg 75)

3. Atticus is concerned that Scout will fight on the school grounds over this issue. He tells her,

"This time we aren't fighting Yankees, we're fighting our friends.  But remember this, no matter how bitter things get, they're still our friends and this is still our home." (pg 76)

4.  Scout asks him again why he is defending Tom Robinson; she is concerned because everyone is saying that Atticus is wrong.  She thinks maybe he could be wrong.  Atticus explains to her,

"....before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience." (pg 105)

5. When Mrs. Dubose dies, Atticus explains to the children why he had Jem read to her. She had been a morphine addict and was determined to die drug free. She did. He tells them,

"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." ( pg 112)

That is what Atticus did concerning the Tom Robinson case.

6. After the trial was over, and Tom Robinson was sentenced to death, Jem was very upset.  Atticus explained to both Jem and Scout,

"He (Atticus)  said he didn't have any quarrel with the rape statute, none whatever, but he did have deep misgivings when the state asked for and the jury gave a death penalty on purely circumstantial evidence....before a man is sentenced to death for murder, say, there should be one or two eye-witnesses." (pg 219)

7. After Jem is attacked, Atticus tells Sheriff Tate that he wants Jem to take the consequences.  Sheriff Tate informs him that Jem didn't do anything wrong. Atticus tells the sheriff,

"Before Jem looks at anyone else he looks at me, and I've tried to live so I can look squarely back at him....if I connived at something like this, frankly I couldn't meet his eye, and the day I can't do that I'll know I've lost him." (pg 273)

Finally, in the last chapter, the last page, Scout is telling Atticus about this story he was reading to her.  She said that the main character ends up a really nice person.  Atticus responds with,

"Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them." (pg 281)

Atticus is characterized as possessing a great deal of wisdom all throughout Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. One classic example is seen in his speech about viewing things from others' perspectives, given earlier in the book.

In Chapter 3, Scout confides in Atticus about her disappointing first day of school. Atticus explains that one reason why Scout got into trouble on her first day is because she was unable to see things from Miss Caroline's perspective and that both Scout and Miss Caroline had learned valuable lessons. He further gives Scout the following famous speech that serves as an underlying moral throughout the entire book:

First of all ... if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along much better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-- ... --until you climb into his skin and walk around in it. (Ch. 3)

This is a wise moral of Atticus's because it allows him to love all the people around him and feel a sense of compassion for them, just as he is able to express love and feel compassion for Tom Robinson through defending him in court. Atticus's wise words about understanding others' points of view influence Scout all throughout the book as she tries to understand the concept; she is finally able to do so when standing on the porch with Arthur (Boo) Radley at the end of the book, after having escorted him home.