The Most Memorable Quotes From 'Steel Magnolias'

Updated May 15, 2024 25 items

Even just reading the best Steel Magnolias quotes is enough to make you tear up. The classic 1989 film about a group of women coping with the death of a dear friend was warmly received when it first came out in theaters. It had a potent mix of melodrama and comedy, so while you'll find plenty of heartwrenching lines from Steel Magnolias on this list, you can also expect some levity. Above all else, this list will make you want to hug your loved ones a little tighter. Dolly Parton had some stand out quotes as Truvy Jones as well as Shirley MacLaine playing Ouiser Boudreaux. But which of these Steel Magnolias quotes is the best? You get to help decide with your votes.

Plenty of famous Steel Magnolias quotes are still remembered to this day. Which one makes you tear up? Vote for the lines you'll always cherish.

- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
1
9 VOTES
I'm Not Crazy
Ouiser Boudreaux: I'm not crazy, I've just been in a very bad mood 40 years!

9 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
2
8 VOTES
My Personal Tragedy
Annelle Dupuy-DeSoto: Miss Truvy, I promise that my personal tragedy will not interfere with my ability to do good hair.

8 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
3
6 VOTES
Thirty Minutes Of Wonderful
Shelby Eatenton Latcherie: I would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.

6 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
4
14 VOTES
Come Sit By Me
Clairee Belcher: Well, you know what they say: if you don't have anything nice to say about anybody, come sit by me!

14 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
5
5 VOTES
You Sound Almost Chipper
Clairee Belcher: Ouiser, you sound almost chipper. What happened today - you run over a small child or something?

5 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
6
8 VOTES
Ability to Accessorize
Clairee Belcher: The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.

8 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
7
7 VOTES
Skinny Dipping
Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie: Well, we went skinny dipping and we did things that frightened the fish.

7 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
8
6 VOTES
Just Peace
M'Lynn Eatenton: I find it amusing. Men are supposed to be made out of steel or something. I just sat there. I just held Shelby's hand. There was no noise, no tremble, just peace. Oh god. I realize as a woman how lucky I am. I was there when that wonderful creature drifted into my life and I was there when she drifted out. It was the most precious moment of my life.

6 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
9
6 VOTES
I'd Recognize This Penmanship
Clairee Belcher: Ouiser, I'd recognize this penmanship anywhere. You have the handwritin' of a serial killer.

6 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
10
6 VOTES
Face Value
Truvy Jones: Smile! It increases your face value.

6 votes

- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
11
8 VOTES
Laughter Through Tears
Truvy Jones: Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.

8 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
12
8 VOTES
Time Marches On
Truvy Jones: Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize it is marchin' across your face.

8 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
13
5 VOTES
Eat Sh*t
Ouiser Boudreaux: Drum, eat sh*t and die.

5 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
14
4 VOTES
This Is The '80s
Truvy Jones: Oh get with it, Clairee. This is the '80s. If you can achieve puberty, you can achieve a past.

4 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
15
4 VOTES
A Dirty Mind
Ouiser Boudreaux: A dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste.

4 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
16
4 VOTES
Scratch His Watch
Truvy Jones: Oh, Sammy's so confused he don't know whether to scratch his watch or wind his butt.

4 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
17
6 VOTES
A Piece of Cake
Drum: Ouiser, can we call a truce long enough for me to get a piece of cake?

[Ouiser slices him the tail piece of the cake shaped like an armadillo.]

Drum: Aww, thanks Ouiser. Nothin' like a good piece of a**.

6 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
18
4 VOTES
Brown Football Helmet
Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie: Relax! You can't screw up her hair. Just tease it and make it look like a brown football helmet.

4 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
19
4 VOTES
It's Been Hosed Down
M'Lynn Eatenton: That sanctuary looks like it's been hosed down with Pepto-Bismol.

4 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
20
4 VOTES
Static Electricity
Truvy Jones: There's so much static electricity in this room, I pick up everything but boys and money.

4 votes

- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
21
4 VOTES
An Ounce of Pretension
Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie: Remember what Daddy always says - an ounce of pretension is worth a pound of manure!

4 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
22
2 VOTES
Blush and Bashful
Truvy Jones: What are your colors, Shelby?

Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie: My colors are blush and bashful.

M'Lynn Eatenton: Her colors are pink and pink.

Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie: My colors are blush and bashful, Mama!

M'Lynn Eatenton: How precious is this weddin' gonna get, I ask you?

2 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
23
2 VOTES
Natural Beauty
Truvy Jones: There is no such thing as natural beauty.

2 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
24
2 VOTES
Go Over Your Head
Annelle Dupuy-DeSoto: Does your dress have to go over your head?

M'Lynn Eatenton: No

Annelle Dupuy-DeSoto: Oh! Thank God!

2 votes
- Photo:
  TriStar Pictures
25
7 VOTES
Christian Thing To Do
Annelle Dupuy-DeSoto: That wasn't a very Christian thing to do.

Clairee Belcher: Oh Annelle, you gotta lighten up.

7 votes