The 15 Best Quotes From Netflix's 'The Gentlemen,' Ranked By Fans
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Once The Gentlemen series dropped on Netflix, it proved to be another banger from Guy Ritchie, just like the 2019 action-comedy film of the same name it's based on. And, like the film, the TV adaptation is filled with his signature witty and slang-filled dialogue. Across eight episodes, Ritchie gives the audience no shortage of memorable quotes. Hearing these quotes will make you want to pour some scotch, light a cigar, and try another attempt at your awful English accent that sounds better in your head.
While the show and series take place in London’s criminal underworld, they are their own separate stories, so you don’t need to have seen the movie to enjoy the show (though you should still watch the film, because it’s fantastic). The show follows Edward Horniman (Theo James), an army vet who inherits his father’s estate, making him the Duke of Halstead. What Eddie doesn’t know, however, is that his father’s estate houses one part of a large weed empire, which is run by Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario).
Take a look back through some of the best lines from The Gentlemen, and vote up the most memorable moments of Guy Ritchie's new show.
- Photo: Netflix113 VOTES
'Value Is Derived From What Someone's Willing To Pay For Something.'
Who Said It: Stanley Johnston
Episode: Season 1, episode 1 (“Refined Aggression”)
Stanley has built a vast empire because he understands the true meaning of value. He states that value is derived from what someone is willing to pay for it. In other words, the value of anything is subjective, not objective.
The same object might be priceless to some individuals, while others might see it as complete junk. What this also means is that Stanley knows how to exploit this and manipulate the value to his liking - it's part of how he's gotten so wealthy.
- Photo: Netflix222 VOTES
'It's A Lucky Man Who's Happy With His Place In Life.'
Who Said It: Geoff Seacombe
Episode: Season 1, episode 4 (“An Unsympathetic Gentleman”)
You can always count on Geoff Seacombe’s wisdom. In a show filled with characters cursed by greed and ambition, Geoff is one of the few who’s fine with what he has.
Okay, he does have the luxury of living among the Horniman family, but he still makes his own way. He’s content with where his life is, which is something not many can say. He's right to acknowledge his luck in this regard, and it's hard not to envy him.
- Photo: Netflix315 VOTES
'There's A Dog In A Man That The Man Can't Control. So We Had To Control It For Him.'
Who Said It: Susie Glass
Episode: Season 1, episode 1 (“Refined Aggression”)
After finding out that Sticky Pete was just stealing Freddy’s money and had no intention of sending in the bet, Eddie has Susie and her men get it back. Eddie witnesses just how brutal Susie can be, as her men beat down Pete to a bloody mess.
Susie says that all they actually did was control the “dog” inside Sticky Pete, implying that every person has a chaotic and unruly side to them. In Susie’s eyes, they did Pete a favor by training the dog inside him. Pete even reveals later that the beating was the best thing to ever happen to him.
- Photo: Netflix428 VOTES
'People Either Survive In The Jungle Or Exist In The Zoo. Few Recognize The Significance Of The Paradoxical Reconciliation Of The Two.'
Who Said It: Stanley Johnston
Episode: Season 1, episode 1 (“Refined Aggression”)
Eloquently said by Stanley Johnston with a T (Giancarlo Esposito), this quote is the thesis for the entire show. There are those who know how to navigate the jungle of the world, yet they wouldn’t fit into high society. Conversely, there are those in high society who wouldn’t last day in the metaphorical jungle of the world.
Then, there’s Stanley Johnston, the rare man who can do both. He can live like an aristocrat but isn’t afraid to get down and dirty to protect his meth empire. As the series progresses, Eddie is shown to be the same. He comes from privilege, but still knows how to survive the rough jungle of the drug game.
- Photo: Netflix513 VOTES
'My Family Have Been Doing This For Generations. Living In The Zoo, But Hunting In The Jungle.'
Who Said It: Edward Horniman
Episode: Season 1, episode 8 (“The Gospel According to Bobby Glass”)
Eddie thinks that by getting rid of the Glass family from his estate, he's protecting his family’s legacy. He realizes, however, that his family motto of “not without danger” concludes that his family has been making these risk/reward choices for generations. They lived among the wealthy, while still willing to get their hands dirty.
By fully embracing this new drug enterprise, Eddie isn’t bringing anything new to the table to his family’s history. He’s just doing what he needs to do to get ahead, even if means getting his hands dirty. It’s a vicious cycle that Eddie chooses to continue, not break.
- Photo: Netflix67 VOTES
'Do You Know What I Love About The British Aristocracy? They're The Original Gangsters. The Reason They Own 75% Of The Country Is Because They Stole It.'
Who Said It: Stanley Johnston
Episode: Season 1, episode 6 (“All Eventualities”)
Stanley understands that power is taken, not given. He points out that the elite and powerful didn’t necessarily earn their wealth, but stole it from those beneath them. They keep that wealth by creating their own system that allows them to hold onto their power.
Stanley says that William the Conqueror was worse than any famous gangster like Al Capone. The elite and powerful may not be dealing drugs or weapons, but they’re still gangers nonetheless.
- Photo: Netflix79 VOTES
'That's The Thing About Running An International Crime Syndicate. We Can Get To Anyone.'
Who Said It: Susie Glass
Episode: Season 1, episode 5 (“I've Hundreds of Cousins”)
If there's one character that has the power to immediately get on your nerves in this show, it's the pompous and greedy Florian de Groot. In a satisfying scene, Susie and Eddie confront Florian to find out who the rat among them is.
Susie proves just how dangerous she can be by having Florian's food poisoned from the servers. Florian finds this out after he already takes a bite, with the poison slowly suffocating him. Susie and Eddie taunt him with the antidote, promising to only give it to him if he gives them the rat. This quote emphasizes Suzie's power - and the fact that she's not afraid to use it.
- Photo: Netflix84 VOTES
'I Don't Deal In Fakes. In My World, I Don't Need To.'
Who Said It: Stanley Johnston
Episode: Season 1, episode 2 (“Tackle Tommy Woo Woo”)
Stanley Johnston is similar to the character of Michael Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) in the 2019 film: both are Americans who built a large drug empire in London.
Like Pearson, Stanley has built himself a reputation of authenticity. Anything he buys or sells is 100% confirmed to be genuine. Due to his elite status, he doesn’t have to resort to deceiving his clients with counterfeit goods. He’s the real deal.
- Photo: Netflix93 VOTES
'You Underestimate Me, Susan. There Is Nothing That I Won't Do To Protect My Family.'
Who Said It: Edward Horniman
Episode: Season 1, episode 6 (“All Eventualities”)
One of Eddie's best virtues is a willingness to do whatever it takes to protect his family. Eddie will risk it all, his wealth, his legacy, and maybe even his life if it means that his family will be saved.
Yes, that even includes his brother Freddy, who constantly makes one dumb decision after another. At the end of the day, Freddy is still family, and Edddie is selfless enough to pull him out of a sticky situation that he foolishly got himself into.
- Photo: Netflix104 VOTES
'You May Have A Small Army, But I Am The State. I Am The House. I Am The Establishment. And You Are Ill-Equipped Physically, Martially, And Intellectually For The Fight You've Mistakenly Chosen To Pick.'
Who Said It: Susie Glass
Episode: Season 1, episode 6 (“All Eventualities”)
Susie is often overlooked as just one of her father’s kids. In reality, she's the one who's been running the show. She’s just as ruthless as her father, and might even be a better strategist. After Henry Collins fixes the fight to have Susie's brother, Jack, beaten within an inch of his life, Susie will not stand for it.
Susie gives a fierce monologue letting Collins know that she’s not someone you should cross. By the end, she does keep her promise, outsmarting everyone - Collins especially.
- Photo: Netflix112 VOTES
'Nothing Like A Good Funeral To Put Things Into Perspective.'
Who Said It: Sabrina Horniman
Episode: Season 1, episode 4 (“An Unsympathetic Gentleman”)
Eddie's biggest dilemma for the show is how he’s going to get rid of the Glass family from his estate without any blood being spilled. As this is happening, Lord Bassington has recently passed away, so Eddie must attend the funeral.
If there’s one way to clear your mind when dealing with a potentially fatal decision, it's a funeral. Witnessing the reality of death puts things into perspective for Eddie, such as his family and what he’s willing to do to protect them.
- Photo: Netflix124 VOTES
'Once You Start The Killing, You Have To Finish The Killing.'
Who Said It: Susie Glass
Episode: Season 1, episode 2 (“Tackle Tommy Woo Woo”)
One major test of morality that Eddie faces early on is the decision to kill or not kill Jethro. While Eddie has killed his fair share of men in self-defense, killing a young man in cold blood is a bit too far for him.
That’s the difference between him and Susie. Eddie will try to find a way out first to avoid killing, while Susie has no issue taking a life if it immediately suits her best interest. Susie understands the importance of no loose ends. As she says, you start the killing, you need to finish what you started; otherwise, it will come back to haunt you.
- Photo: Netflix130 VOTES
'You Never Give Back Money Once It's Been Handed Over.'
Who Said It: Susie Glass
Episode: Season 1, episode 3 (“Where’s My Weed At?”)
After losing a shipment of weed, Susie and Eddie find themselves in a predicament. That particular shipment of weed was supposed to go to one of their customers, Tony Blair (Cameron Cook). Eddie suggests that maybe just give Tony back the money.
Susie points out that this isn't how it works in the criminal underworld. The minute you give back the money, you are devaluing your worth to the customer. This business is all about always dealing one thing for another. If you don't have what they need, try offering something else in return to keep them happy.
- Photo: Netflix140 VOTES
'Nothing In Life Worth Having Comes Without A Little Danger.'
Who Said It: Edward Horniman
Episode: Season 1, episode 8 (“The Gospel According to Bobby Glass”)
Eddie tells Susie his family’s motto: “Non sine periculo,” which means “not without danger.” Eddie has been fully brought to the dark side by the end of the first season. He loves the thrill of this illegal business.
He now sees that the best things in life usually come with a bit of risk or danger, and that overcoming that danger makes the reward even sweeter.
- Photo: Netflix151 VOTES
'When You're On A Job, Never Answer To A Cry For Help. It's A F*cking Cliche. That's The Worm That Covers The Hook.'
Who Said It: Susie Glass
Episode: Season 1, episode 3 (“Where’s My Weed At?”)
Eddie gets roped into having to steal an ultra-rare Lamborghini Hurricane. On the night of the heist, he finds out that the chop shop owner, Mercy, is someone who shouldn’t be crossed, as he overhears a man who’s been tortured and is begging for help. Eddie makes the foolish decision of taking him along with the car.
While Eddie is clearly shown to be good at this whole criminal thing, his conscious gets in the way sometimes. Susie points out that you never answer a cry for help when on a job. All it will do is open another can of worms that you may not be able to close.
