How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from The Big Lebowski.
Quote #1
TREEHORN TOUGH: Wu? Isn't this guy supposed to be a millionaire?
After terrorizing The Dude, Jackie Treehorn's toughs realize that they're standing in a dump, which means they've got the wrong apartment. This episode introduces the Lebowski confusion that starts the action rolling and hints that we're going to be looking at two entirely different worlds.
Quote #2
WALTER: Plus, he has the wealth … and the resources … that there's no reason his wife should go out and owe money all over town, and then they come and they pee on your f***ing rug. Am I wrong?
As the Big Lebowski points out, he didn't personally pee on The Dude's rug, so he's not responsible for what was someone else's case of mistaken identity. But you can see that Walter is very bitter about rich people in general, so he thinks the wealthy Lebowski should be held accountable.
Quote #3
BIG LEBOWSKI: Your revolution is over, Mr. Lebowski. Condolences. The bums lost. My advice to you is to do what your parents did. Get a job, sir!
The Big Lebowski disparages The Dude's disheveled, unemployed state. Here's the class war personified in one scene.
Quote #4
THE DUDE: The old man told me to take any rug in the house.
With this little act of revenge, The Dude beats the Big Lebowski at his game.
Quote #5
BRANDT: I'm not calling about the rug, which I very much assure you is not a problem.
The Dude is a man of very modest means, which means he's been ducking Brandt's calls because he's worried the Big Lebowski is going to make him pay for the stolen rug. Brandt knows to assuage these worries right away if he wants The Dude to talk to him.
Quote #6
BIG LEBOWSKI: Brandt has the ransom note, written by men who are unable to achieve on a level field of play.
In the Big Lebowski's eyes, the world is an entirely democratic place where no barriers exist to becoming as wealthy or as powerful as he is. Check your privilege, Big.
Quote #7
Walter screws up the hand-off by trying to get The Dude to keep the money and throw out a ringer briefcase containing his dirty undies.
Walter does this because he thinks the Big Lebowski is so rich that he won't miss the money. Plus, he isn't crazy about rich people in general and thinks it's only fair to "redistribute" the wealth.
Quote #8
THE DUDE: This is quite a pad you got here, man.
When Jackie Treehorn brings The Dude to his sleek '60s mansion, The Dude is impressed. Never mind that Jackie Treehorn made all of that money by treating "objects like women." You don't have to be smart or decent to be rich.
Quote #9
SHERIFF: Keep your ugly, f***ing, goldbricking ass out of my beach community.
Malibu is one of the wealthier beach towns, and needless to say, they're not quite used to The Dude's kind around there. Some things never change.
Quote #10
THE DUDE: You figured, oh, you know, here's a loser, a deadbeat, somebody the square community won't give a s*** about.
The Dude outlines the Big Lebowski's reasons for using The Dude as a pawn: wealthy, successful "squares" don't exactly hold penniless roach-burners in high favor. The Big Lebowski's response: "Well, aren't you?"