Frank Underwood quotes from House of Cards

Frank Underwood

[as Claire is being sworn in] Here we are again. You know, if you ignore all the pomp and circumstance, the most perverse thing is that I actually believe in the presidency, its importance, what it means around the world, even symbolically - but I believe in power even more, for its own sake. Gore Vidal once wrote that power is an end to itself, and the instinctive urge to prevail the most important single human trait. I've always told myself that everything I did was for her, but maybe it wasn't. Maybe I love power more.

Frank Underwood

[to Claire] No one will ever love you as much as I do. I hope you know that. Just as no one will ever love me like you.

Frank Underwood

If she doesn't pardon me, I'll kill her.

I know he made you a promise, but circumstances have changed.

Frank Underwood

The nature of promises, Linda, is that they remain immune to changing circumstances.

Frank Underwood

I'll fall on this grenade myself, just to piss them off. Give me John King at CNN.

Donald Blythe

Wait, Frank. This is not your fault.

Frank Underwood

No, we have to protect your reputation.

Donald Blythe

But you're the man that needs to get the bill through the house.

Frank Underwood

I will-- hang on..

Frank Underwood

[aside] What a martyr craves more than anything is a sword to fall on, so you sharpen the blade, hold it at just the right angle, and then 3, 2, 1--

Donald Blythe

It should be me. It was my bill.

Frank Underwood

[to Dean Masters] Would you like me to resign, Mr. Masters? Just say the word, and it's done. If it will bring you any satisfaction. I asked the reverend once, "What are we supposed to do in the face of so much senseless pain?" And he said to me, "What else can we do but take what seems meaningless and try to make something meaningful from it?"

He's right. That's how God works: through us.

Frank Underwood

Will you let me work for you? [aside] What you have to understand about my people is that they are a noble people. Humility is their form of pride. It is their strength, it is their weakness, and if you can humble yourself before them, they will do anything you ask.

Are you letting pride cloud your judgment, Frank?

Frank Underwood

Respectfully, sir, you're allowing fear to cloud yours.

Frank Underwood

You know the difference between you and me, Marty?

Marty Spinella

What?

Frank Underwood

I'm a white-trash cracker from a white-trash town that no one would even bother to piss on. But here's the difference — I've made something of myself. I have the keys to the capitol. People respect me. But you, you're still nothing. You're just an uppity dago in an expensive suit turning tricks for the unions. Nobody respects the unions anymore, Marty. They're dying. And no one respects you. The most you'll ever make of yourself is blowing men like me. Men with real power. Yes. I can smell the cock on your breath from here.

Marty Spinella

You think you can get under my skin?

Frank Underwood

I know I can.

Zoe Barnes

[looking out the window] I can see your security guy.

Frank Underwood

Meechum?

Zoe Barnes

He's cute.

Frank Underwood

He'd never go for you.

Zoe Barnes

Why not?

Frank Underwood

You're too intimidating.

Zoe Barnes

But he's the one with the gun.

Frank Underwood

But you're the one with the Congressman.

Frank Underwood

Aren't you going to wish me a happy Father's Day?

Zoe Barnes

You don't have any children.

Frank Underwood

Don't I?

Remy Danton

I don't eat pork.

Frank Underwood

When did that happen?

Remy Danton

When we started lobbying for the meat packing industry.

Peter Russo

You don't understand, I'm not afraid of you anymore, Frank.

Frank Underwood

Then you're misguided.

Frank Underwood

We never played chess before, have we?

Doug Stamper

I don't know how.

Frank Underwood

You want me to teach you?

Frank Underwood

Are you entirely certain he's going to keep you on the ticket? I mean, it's no secret the two of you don't exactly get along.

Ok, what has he said?

Frank Underwood

Oh, you're putting me in a very awkward position, Mr. Vice President.

Has he been bad-mouthing me? Please tell me the exact words he used.

Frank Underwood

Well, there were a few variations, but the exact phrase he used was "pain in the ass".

That sucker.

Raymond Tusk

Can I ask why you do that?

Frank Underwood

Do what?

Raymond Tusk

Tap your ring like that. I've seen you do it on TV. Two taps every time you get up from a table or leave a lectern.

Frank Underwood

Something my father taught me. It's meant to harden your knuckles so you don't break them if you get into a fight. It also has the added benefit of knocking on wood. My father believed that success is a mixture of preparation and luck. Tapping the table kills both birds with one stone.

Raymond Tusk

Your father was a peach farmer?

Frank Underwood

Yes, he was. Not a very successful one.

Raymond Tusk

Lack of preparation or lack of luck?

Frank Underwood

Lack of both. He was better at giving advice than following it.