House of Cards 1×3

Chapter 3

& Francis: What’s it look like to you?
    Gene: Like a peach.
    Francis: No, I mean what does it really look like?
    Gene: As mayor, I stick with a peach. As a private citizen... well, it looks like the sun is shining where it shouldn’t be.

& Francis: You hang back by the car.
    Edward: It’s a big crowd, sir...
    Francis: If I get shot or stabbed consoling two grieving parents, I’m a hero from now until the end of time. Let’s roll the dice.

& Edward: Sir, I can’t allow you to go unescorted into all those people.
    Francis: Allow me? Let’s get one thing straight, Meacham. You are never to dictate what I can and cannot do. The only two words I want to hear from you when I ask you to do something are “yes” and “sir.” Is that understood?
    Edward: Yes, sir.

& Francis: Hey, have we always had tulips in the front yard, or am I slowly going insane?

& Francis: The Bible says in proverbs, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Lean not on your own understanding. God is telling us to trust him, to love him despite our own ignorance. After all, what is faith if it doesn’t endure when we are tested the most?

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& Zoe: You can speak to me like an adult, Tom. You don’t have to lecture me like a little girl.
    Hammerschmidt: You haven’t earned the right to be treated as an adult. You think a few front-page stories and some face time on TV makes you the next Judy Miller? You’ve got a long way to go. Don’t be so arrogant.
    Zoe: Okay, so you think when a woman asks to be treated with respect, that’s arrogance?
    Hammerschmidt: Are you accusing me of sexism?
    Zoe: Just making an observation.

& Francis: 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.”
    Reverend: He’s right. That’s how God works— Through us.
    Francis: Will you let me work for you?.. 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.

& Orrin: Fuck you, Frank. You can’t just roll up on my property and act like you own it.
    Francis: Oh, but I can.
    Gene: We just did.
    Francis: I’ve won this district 11 times. Do you think that’s just luck and a firm handshake?..

& Zoe: I’ve been offered a spot on Nightline...
    Francis: You want my advice?
    Zoe: I don’t want it. I need it.
    Francis: Close your eyes...
    Zoe: Okay.
    Francis: It’s 11:25. Nightline is about to come on. Millions of people are watching. Where are you, home?
    Zoe: No.
    Francis: At the studio?
    Zoe: Yes.
    Francis: And what do you see?
    Zoe: I see lights. I see a camera. And that little red dot goes on.
    Francis: Tell me what you hear?
    Zoe: I hear my voice.
    Francis: And those millions of people, what do they hear?
    Zoe: My voice.
    Francis: And what do they see?
    Zoe: My face.
    Francis: So you don’t need my advice.

& Francis: You don’t want to work anywhere you’re not willing to get fired from, Zoe.
Treading water’s the same as drowning for people like you and me. Good luck. I’ll be watching.

& Zoe: When do you get back?
    Francis: When I get back, you’ll know.

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+ Quotes from the IMDb