Don Draper quotes from Mad Men

Michael

I know you saw me.

Don

I thought you were hiding from someone.

Michael

That was a bold last-minute decision, going with your idea.

Don

I thought it was more what they wanted.

Michael

We'll never know, will we? Because they never heard mine.

Don

Look, I don't like going in with two ideas. It's weak.

Michael

And you don't wanna be weak, so you picked yours.

Don

And they bought it, which is our goal, isn't it?

Michael

What do I care? I got a million of them. A million.

Don

Good. I guess I'm lucky you work for me. [Elevator doors open]

Michael

I feel bad for you.

Don

I don't think about you at all. [Exits the elevator]

Pete

You know, if I had told you last December that we'd be in the running for a car, you would've kissed me on the mouth.

Don

Maybe you and I should go as a couple.

Joan

But no flowers from you.

Don

You scared the shit out of me.

Joan

[people watching in a bar] Who do you think he is? Advertising? Insurance? Lawyer? And who do you think's waiting at home? I bet she's not ugly. The only sin she's committed is being familiar.

Don

So you think it's all him?

Joan

Because she can't give him what he wants?

Don

Because he doesn't know what he wants. But he's wanting.

Joan

He knows. It's just the way he is. And maybe it's just the way she is.

Don

You know what this woman said to me once? I like being bad, and going home and being good.

Joan

I bet that stuck to your ribs.

Don

It was a disaster.

Joan

And you enjoyed every minute.

Peggy

I want you to know that the day you saw something in me, my whole life changed. And since then, it's been my privilege to not only be at your side, but to be treated like a protegé. And for you to be my mentor. And my champion.

Don

But...

Peggy

But, I think I've reached a point where it's time for me to have a new experience.

Don

Really?

Peggy

I've giving my notice. I've accepted another offer.

Don

Well, let's pretend I'm not responsible for every single good thing that's ever happened to you. And you tell me the number. Or make one up. And I'll beat it.

Peggy

There's no number.

We're at 50% market share in almost everything we make.

Don

Because you have a big line of diverse and charismatic products. And you keep making more. Zip-tape. Styrofoam. Rovana. And why do you do that? Because even though success is a reality, its effects are temporary. You get hungry even though you've just eaten. At the old firm, we had London Fog raincoats. We had a year where we sold 81% of the raincoats in the United States.

Roger

Name another raincoat.

Don

But we didn't stop working for them because 81% isn't enough.

Tell me about napalm.

Roger

You mean that thing those kids outside your building are screaming at you about?

Don

Napalm was invented in 1942. The government put it in flamethrowers against the Nazis, impact bombs against the Japanese. It was all over Korea, I was there. And now it's in Vietnam. But the important thing is when our boys are fighting and they need it, when America needs it, Dow makes it and it works.

But it doesn't change the fact that we're happy with our agency.

Don

Are you? You're happy with 50%? You're on top and you don't have enough. You're happy because you're successful. For now. But what is happiness? It's a moment before you need more happiness. I won't settle for 50% of anything. I want 100%. You're happy with your agency? You're not happy with anything. You don't want most of it, you want all of it. And I won't stop until you get all of it.

Don

Why do we do this?

Roger

For the sex, but it's always disappointing.

Harry

"Broadway Joe on Broadway". Did anybody in this room think of that? I did.

Pete

What the hell is that?

Harry

It's $150,000 worth of incremental business I generated while solving a problem. And for what? So I can stand outside that door and watch you all in here?

Don

What did Dawn do?

Joan

Well, I'm almost positive...

Harry

Just keep listening to her, because she's a partner! You know what, I'm sorry my accomplishments happen in broad daylight, and I can't be given the same rewards.

Pete

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

Harry

You know damn well! The next time this group is called to order, I expect to be sitting at this table. I've actually earned it.

I think this is over.

Don

It's over when I say it's over.

I had a dream that you crashed in that plane.

Don

But I'm back.

I dreamed that I went to your funeral, and Megan cried on my shoulder.

Don

Stop it.

And then I went back to Arnold, and I made love to him, and I said, "I've been away, but now I'm home."

Don

It means you missed me.

No, it means it's time to really go home. This is over, and not just...this.

Don

It's easy to give up something when you're satisfied.

No, it's easy to give up something when you're ashamed.

Don

[pained] Don't...

It's time to go.

Does someone love me?

Don

What?

That's what your question was.

Don

Why would you say that?

That's everyone's question.

Betty

What are you doing?

Don

Waiting for you to tell me to stop.

Betty

What did you think when you saw me?

Don

That you are as beautiful as the day I met you.

Harry

I wouldn't bother you at home, but I've got good news!

Don

You finally found a hooker who'll take traveler's checks?

Peggy

I know what you did, I just don't know why you did it.

Don

Calm down.

Peggy

Wanna offer me a drink, pretend like you're helping me a little more?

Don

Close the door.

Peggy

Oh, of course, you deserve privacy!

Don

Look, there's still enough money for the ad. We'll make it work.

Peggy

Stop hiding behind the ad! I know what you did.

Don

I saved both of you. How do you think it looks?

Peggy

You hate that he is a good man!

Don

He's not that virtuous. He's just in love with you.

Peggy

Well, you killed him. You killed the ad. You killed everything. You can stop now.

Don

I'm just looking out for the agency.

Peggy

You're a monster!