Original artwork, not a still
My hypocrisy goes only so far.
— Tombstone · 1993
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Doc Holliday in miniature: a Georgia gentleman and gambler dying of consumption, who shrugs off law and morals and still keeps one private line he will not cross. He pins on a badge for one reason only, to make Ringo's death a lawful one, and then sneers at himself for it. Fans quote it as a dry way to admit that your cynicism has limits.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for TombstoneShow the scene
Near the end of Tombstone (1993), Doc Holliday, dying of tuberculosis, rides out ahead of Wyatt Earp to the big oak where the outlaw Johnny Ringo waits for a showdown with Wyatt. Doc tells Ringo they have an unfinished game, and that this time it is legal: he is wearing a lawman's badge. He outdraws and kills Ringo, and when Wyatt arrives Doc tells him he was not quite as sick as he made out. Handing back the badge, he delivers this line, and the two ride on to finish off the Cowboys.
Sources (1)
- Tombstone (1993) transcriptDoc and Ringo at the big oakReference checked
Context reviewed
