Claire Underwood quotes from House of Cards

Claire Underwood

Presidents aren't allowed to be human. You have to choose: power or love. That was clear from the beginning. Forgive me, Tom Yates, I'm going to drag you through the mud, deny we ever happened. I'm going to kill you for the second time. Someday you'll rest in peace.

Claire Underwood

Hi. That's quite a snapshot, right? Unique, carefully calibrated. Pain, hysteria, and just a small dose of crazy. Claire Underwood, like they've never seen before. [makes a crying face] It's not actually as easy as it looks. In order for me to make that face, I have to imagine the perfect combination of things. Here's the recipe: First, I have to imagine all the ways that men have tried to manage me my whole life; then, I think of America's worst fear when it comes to a female in the Oval Office; and, finally, my biggest regret - Francis J. Underwood.

Claire Underwood

I hereby solemnly swear to take no prisoners.

Claire Underwood

[about her abortion] The baby was viable. Francis and I as parents were not.

Claire Underwood

It's important to be organized and ruthless. Three piles, I always say: The stuff you wanna keep, the stuff you might need later that you put in storage, and the stuff you have to destroy.

Claire Underwood

I want every door to be wide open, and stay that way.

Claire Underwood

[to her unborn child] Oh, no, no, no, sweetheart - I will not reap what your father has sown.

Claire Underwood

This is treason, Brett. Somebody will go down for it. So I guess the real question is, will you? Because I know the chair in this room you're gunning for is not the one your ass is currently warming.

Claire Underwood

I've always been amused by your arrogance, Viktor. It's like watching some movie, just out of date.

Claire Underwood

Such a shame, how naive you are.

Zoe Barnes

I'm not naive.

Claire Underwood

No? I've known everything from the beginning, Zoe. My husband and I tell each other everything. Don't you believe me? Is there a spider I can trap? I'm not here to punish you or to tell you to stop. I just thought I should open those big bright eyes.

What were you interested in?

Claire Underwood

Being more than an observer.

You wanted to be seen.

Claire Underwood

Not just seen. I wanted to be significant.

Claire Underwood

I envy your free spirit, and I'm attracted to it, but not all of us have that luxury.

Which is what I find so frustrating about you, Claire. You-you had a choice. You chose not to be free.

Claire Underwood

No. What I chose was a man I could love for more than a week.

Frank Underwood

So, how does it feel to be married to the Vice President?

Claire Underwood

Exactly the same. Just louder.

Claire Underwood

What should we serve the Walkers?

Frank Underwood

Cyanide.

Claire Underwood

I'm saving that for dessert. What about a main course?

Claire Underwood

Are you unsatisfied?

Frank Underwood

There's just too much at stake now. No one we can trust. We don't have the freedom we once did.

Claire Underwood

Maybe it's better this way. No room for distractions. I don't mind the sacrifice.