As was habitual with Thornton Wilder, some lines are repeated with small variations by several characters, such as Dolly Levi, Cornelius Hackl, and Irene Malloy:
Isn't the world full of wonderful things?
Dolly Levi: Money! It's like the sun we walk under; it can kill or cure.
Dolly: But there comes a moment in everybody's life where he must decide whether he’s living among human beings or not - a fool among fools or a fool alone. As for me, I’ve decided to live among them.
Dolly: The difference between a little money and no money at all is enormous – and can shatter the world. And the difference between a little money and an enormous amount of money is very slight – and that also can shatter the world.
Dolly: Money, I've always felt, money – pardon my expression - is like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it’s spread about, encouraging young things to grow.
The 1958 film begins with a series of fourth-wall-breaking addresses from various characters to the audience:
Dolly: Are all you people married? ... That's nice. Cornelius Hackl: Are you alone? ... He's out getting you popcorn?! Oh. ... Oh, well! Irene Molloy (adjusting her dress and showing her ankles): You ought to be ashamed of yourself. ... Pretty, aren't they? Horace Vandergelder (caught chirping to a caged bullfinch): Haven't you any better way to spend your money?!
Also from the film adaptation. Dolly is arranging a dinner between Mr. Vandergelder and his prospective and completely fictional bride-to-be, "Ernestina Simple":
Horace Vandergelder: How will I know her, Mrs. Levi? Dolly: Mr. Vandergelder, how do you know the Rocky Mountains? Vandergelder: Well...those are BIG. Dolly: Then you'll know Ernestina Simple.
Also from the 1958 film:
Irene: Is it true what they say about Yonkers, Mr. Vandergelder? Is it really the most beautiful city in the world? Vandergelder: London... Paris... Yonkers.
And again:
Vandergelder (to Cornelius): I made you my chief clerk! Cornelius: Seven times.
