Life’s one big joke to him, right?
Keith “Two-Bit” Mathews, the oldest member of the Greaser gang (besides Darry) in S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, is the indispensable wisecracker who always gets his “two bits” in.
Known for his rusty-colored sideburns, shoplifting skills, and prized switchblade, Two-Bit provides crucial comic relief, but beneath the jokes lies a fierce loyalty and surprisingly sharp observations about their world.
This collection features 23 of Two-Bit’s most memorable lines and key character descriptions. Explore his humor, his views on fights and Socs, his interactions with the gang, and his moments of unexpected seriousness, all accurately cited with page numbers from the Platinum Edition (Viking, 2006).
Two-Bit lives up to his name, constantly cracking jokes and finding humor in most situations.
“Life’s One Big Joke”: Two-Bit the Wisecracker
Two-Bit’s primary role is providing levity, using humor as both entertainment and perhaps a defense mechanism.
“Two-Bit Mathews was the oldest of the gang and the wisecracker of the bunch… He had gray eyes and a wide grin, and he couldn’t stop making funny remarks to save his life… Life was one big joke to Two-Bit… I liked him real well because he kept us laughing at ourselves as well as at other things.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy as narrator), Theme: Humor, Personality, Coping?, Chapter 1, Page 10
Ponyboy clearly establishes Two-Bit’s defining characteristic: his relentless humor and ability to make the gang laugh. How does Ponyboy see others? Explore Ponyboy’s views here.
“Soda merely cocked one eyebrow, a trick he’d picked up from Two-Bit.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy as narrator), Theme: Influence, Mannerisms, Chapter 1, Page 8
“I was plannin’ on getting boozed up tomorrow night,” Two-Bit said. “If I don’t, I’ll walk over and find y’all.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit Mathews), Theme: Humor, Social Plans, Chapter 1, Page 14
“Glory, Two-Bit, scare us to death!” [Ponyboy reacting] “Okay, greasers, you’ve had it” [Two-Bit imitating a Soc]
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Characters: Ponyboy & Two-Bit), Theme: Pranks, Humor, Fear Response (Johnny’s), Chapter 2, Page 27
“Who’s this, your great-aunts?”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit Mathews to Cherry/Marcia), Theme: Wisecrack, Greeting, Chapter 2, Page 28
“Brother, you’re a sharp one. Where’d you two ever get to be picked up by a couple of greasy hoods like Pony and Johnny?”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit Mathews to Marcia), Theme: Humor, Self-Deprecation (Greaser label), Chapter 2, Page 28
“You oughta see Kathy’s brother. Now there’s a hood. He’s so greasy he glides when he walks. He goes to the barber for an oil change, not a haircut.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit), Theme: Humor, Exaggeration, Greaser Stereotype, Chapter 7, Page 114
“Get thee hence, white trash,” Two-Bit said in a snobbish voice. “I am a Soc. I am the privileged and the well-dressed…”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit Mathews mocking Socs), Theme: Humor, Satire, Social Commentary, Chapter 9, Page 136
“Work?” Two-Bit was aghast. “And ruin my rep? I wouldn’t be baby-sittin’ the kid here if I knew of some good day-nursery open on Saturdays.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit Mathews refusing work), Theme: Humor, Reputation, Laziness, Chapter 7, Page 112
Beneath the humor, Two-Bit possesses a street-smart understanding of their world and its unspoken rules.
“Getting His Two-Bits In”: Observations and Rules
Always ready with a comment, Two-Bit also voices the practical realities and codes of Greaser life, from fighting fairly to sticking together.
“He liked fights, blondes, and for some unfathomable reason, school.” … “He was still a junior at eighteen and a half and he never learned anything. He just went for kicks.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy as narrator), Theme: Character Traits, Motivation, Chapter 1, Page 10
“Two-Bit went on cheerfully, calling the Socs every name he could think of or make up.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy as narrator), Theme: Attitude towards Socs, Antagonism, Chapter 1, Page 12
“A fair fight isn’t rough;’ Two-Bit said. “Blades are rough. So are chains and heaters and pool sticks and rumbles. Skin fighting isn’t rough. It blows off steam better than anything.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit Mathews on fighting), Theme: Rules of Conflict, Greaser Code, Chapter 2, Page 29
Two-Bit defines the Greasers’ understanding of a “fair” fight, contrasting it with weapons and the chaotic nature of rumbles.
“Our one rule besides Stick together is Don’t get caught.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit Mathews explaining Greaser rules), Theme: Greaser Code, Loyalty, Pragmatism, Chapter 2, Page 29
“He’ll probably find the fight,” Two-Bit stated cheerfully… “Does Dally have a blade?”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit Mathews about Dally/Shepards), Theme: Anticipation, Gang Conflict, Awareness of Danger, Chapter 2, Page 29
What was Dally thinking? Read Dally’s Quotes.
“the chips are always down when it’s our turn, but that’s the way things are. Like it or lump it.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit on luck/fate), Theme: Resignation, Fatalism, Greaser Reality, Chapter 3, Page 43
“What’s the safest thing to be when one is met by a gang of social outcasts in an alley? …No, another social outcast!”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Dialogue: 1st: Two-bit, 2nd: Ponyboy), Theme: Humor, Identity, Social Commentary, Chapter 7, Page 113
“You know the rules. No jazz before a rumble.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit stating rumble rules), Theme: Rules, Ritual, Gang Code, Chapter 7, Page 115
“You know, the only thing that keeps Darry from bein’ a Soc is us.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit Mathews about Darry), Theme: Observation, Social Class, Gang Influence, Chapter 8, Page 126
Two-Bit offers a surprisingly astute observation about Darry’s potential path if not for his loyalty and responsibility to the gang and his brothers. Is he right about Darry? See Darry Curtis’s Quotes.
Despite his laziness, Two-Bit is fiercely loyal, always ready to back up the gang and flash his prized switchblade.
Loyalty and the Gang’s Code
Humor aside, Two-Bit embodies the Greaser principle of sticking together, offering support and protection, symbolized by his ever-present switchblade.
“Next time get one of us to go with you, Ponyboy,” Two-Bit said. “Any of us will.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit to Ponyboy), Theme: Loyalty, Protection, Brotherhood, Chapter 1, Page 13
“Shut up talkin’ like that,” Two-Bit said fiercely [to Johnny], messing up Johnny’s hair. “We couldn’t get along without you, so you can just shut up!”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit comforting Johnny), Theme: Loyalty, Friendship, Reassurance, Chapter 3, Page 43
How much did Johnny need them? Read Johnny Cade’s Story in Quotes.
“You mean if I’m looking for a good jumping, you outnumber us, so you’ll give it to us? Well…” He… reached in his back pocket and flipped out his switchblade. “Try it, pal.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit Mathews confronting Socs), Theme: Confrontation, Protection, Intimidation, Chapter 3, Page 45
“They treatin’ you okay, kid?” … “Don’t talk,” Two-Bit said, pulling up a chair, “just listen. We’ll bring you some hair grease next time.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit visiting Johnny), Theme: Care, Friendship, Loyalty, Chapter 8, Page 120
“No wonder he hates your guts,” Two-Bit snapped [at Johnny’s mother].
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit defending Johnny), Theme: Loyalty, Anger, Defense, Chapter 8, Page 123
The jokester facade occasionally drops, revealing Two-Bit’s genuine concern for his friends.
Moments of Seriousness
While known for laughs, certain situations reveal Two-Bit’s underlying seriousness, empathy, and protective instincts, especially towards Ponyboy.
“I don’t know why I handed you that busted bottle,” Two-Bit said… “You’d never use it.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit Mathews to Ponyboy), Theme: Observation, Understanding Ponyboy, Protection, Chapter 3, Page 47
“Ponyboy, listen, don’t get tough. You’re not like the rest of us and don’t try to be…”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit showing concern for Ponyboy), Theme: Concern, Advice, Protecting Innocence, Chapter 12, Page 171
Two-Bit recognizes Ponyboy’s difference and tries to shield him from becoming hardened like the others.
[Two-Bit] stared at me for a second, then grinned. “You little sonofagun,” he said in a relieved voice. [after Ponyboy picks up glass]
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit Mathews relieved about Ponyboy), Theme: Relief, Concern, Understanding, Chapter 12, Page 171
¨No,¨ Two-Bit had said with a quivering sigh, ¨but that’s what I’m wishing was all that’s bothering me.¨”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Two-Bit Mathews showing grief over Dally/switchblade), Theme: Grief, Loss, Vulnerability, Chapter 12, Pages 177-178
This rare moment shows Two-Bit’s mask slipping, revealing genuine sadness and loss beneath the wisecracks. What was Steve’s reaction? Check out Steve Randle’s Quotes.
Two-Bit Mathews Quotes FAQ
What did Two-Bit say in The Outsiders?
Two-Bit is best known for his wisecracks and humorous observations. Key quotes include his take on fighting (“A fair fight isn’t rough,” p. 29), Greaser rules (“Don’t get caught,” p. 29), social standing (“chips are always down,” p. 43), and his concern for Ponyboy (“Ponyboy, listen, don’t get tough,” p. 171).
What is the quote “Life was one big joke to Two-Bit”?
This is Ponyboy’s description of Two-Bit’s outlook:
“Life was one big joke to Two-Bit.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, Chapter 1, Page 10
What does Two-Bit say about Darry?
He makes a sharp observation about Darry’s connection to the gang:
“You know, the only thing that keeps Darry from bein’ a Soc is us.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, Chapter 8, Page 126
What is the quote about Two-Bit’s switchblade after Dally dies?
After Dally’s death, Ponyboy recalls Two-Bit’s reaction to losing his prized knife:
“The way Two-Bit… had griped because he had lost his switchblade when they searched Dallas… ¨No,¨ Two-Bit had said with a quivering sigh, ¨but that’s what I’m wishing was all that’s bothering me.¨”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, Chapter 12, Pages 177-178
Conclusion: The Wisecracking Loyalist
Keith “Two-Bit” Mathews might see life as one big joke, but his humor provides essential levity, and his loyalty forms crucial glue for the Greaser gang in The Outsiders. He is the ever-present wisecracker, the conformist who fights because the gang does, yet beneath the jokes lies a deep affection for his friends and a desire to protect their remaining innocence.
These 23 quotes capture the wit, loyalty, and occasional seriousness of Two-Bit.
Delve deeper into the world Hinton created by exploring our full Outsiders Study Guide resources.
A Note on Page Numbers & Edition:
We meticulously sourced these quotes from The Outsiders (Viking Press [Penguin Group], 2006 Platinum Edition paperback). Like Two-Bit always getting his two bits in, page numbers can differ between editions. Always verify against your copy for accurate citations!
Jeremy Mortis, founder of Ageless Investing, applies a rigorous analytical approach (the AAM framework) to distill timeless wisdom and contextualized quotes from classic literature, saving you time while deepening understanding. Learn more about Jeremy’s unique background and methodology on his author bio page.