30 Best Breaking Bad Quotes

Entertainment: 71st Annual Emmy Awards
Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY via I

Sep 22, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Bryan Cranston appears during the opening at the 71st Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY

Breaking Bad is a crime drama that was created and produced by Vince Gilligan and was one of the most popular shows when it aired between 2008 to 2013. The intense thriller focuses on the making and selling of methamphetamines while navigating the criminal underworld.

Bryan Cranston, who played Walter White, takes on the perfect persona of a power-hungry and tortured soul. He has some of the best Breaking Bad quotes throughout the seasons. The character transformations, dynamics, and personalities are some of the main reasons that viewers loved the show so much. Between Breaking Bad, El Camino, and Better Call Saul, you’ll be able to dive into this fictional universe and absorb all the iconic quotes from the series.

Please note that this list will encompass all seasons, so there will be spoilers.

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Best Breaking Bad Quotes

30. “It’s Easy Money, ‘Til We Catch You” S1E1

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From the very beginning, each character did a great job at making their situation known. Walt was in dire need of an answer and came up with meth.

Jesse was a light-humored kid just trying to get by, and Hank was on the opposite side of the law and made it clear that he was going to be chasing them. The line was spoken very causally to Walt during the first episode of the first season and is incredibly significant.

It portrays Hank’s no-nonsense and confident attitude as a DEA Agent, but also ensures that viewers are aware of the tension that creeps in between them when Walt begins his business venture.

29. “Let Me Die in Peace” S5E7

As the seasons go on, Walt starts to become a bit more like a villain, turning into something that you don’t recognize when looking back in season one.

When Mike and Walt fight, Mike scolds Walt for his egotistical behavior and accuses him of ruining their ideal situation working for Gus Fring. Walt can’t handle his rage and ends up shooting Mike.

Mike tries to get away, but with his severe wound, he’s unable to and comes to terms with his end. Walt tries to apologize, but Mike just brushes him off, saying that he wants to “die in peace,” very in character.

28. “They’re Minerals, Marie! Jesus!” S4E3

While this line is a throwaway line mostly and has nothing to do with the main storyline but is a line that continues to pop up along the story. Hank loves collecting geodes and is often seen purchasing several packages of them throughout the seasons.

And like several people who are not familiar with the hobby, Marie refers to them as rocks, to which Hank always replies with some sort of idea of “They’re minerals, Marie!”, a lovely interaction between the two that makes viewers chuckle.

27. “Yeah! Magnets!” S5E1

Through this 3-minute-long clip, the quote happens at 2:25, where Jesse is just overall ecstatic that the plan worked. His good humor and personality are just hilarious to watch, and his overexcitement that a large magnet managed to mess up a computer is too funny.

Walt powers on the magnet, and as Jesse moves closer to the trailer, the computer shuts down and eventually gets pulled toward the trailer. And he whoops in joy at the revelation.

26. “You’re an Insane, Degenerate Piece of Filth, and You Deserve to Die” S2E2

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Walt manages to poison Tuco’s food with the ricin he has prepared, but Hector notices and knocks the plate out of the way.

When Tuco realizes Walt and Jesse are plotting against him, he takes them outside, holds a gun to Jesse’s head, and forces Walt to confess. But thankfully, Jesse overpowers him when Tuco is distracted, letting Walt and Jesse get the upper hand.

There are very few moments where Walt was actually better than his meth peers, and this is one, as he explains that they definitely plotted to poison Tuco because he’s an “insane, degenerate piece of filth.”

25. “Ah, Like I Came to You, Begging to Cook Meth” S4E12

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As a reminder, Jesse never really agreed to cook meth with Walt. Walt made sure that Jesse would agree, as he threatened to go to the police about Jesse.

I’m sure there were not very many days that Jesse didn’t hate Walt for that, as he was just rolled through it and dragged along. Even with such a sad quote, Jesse sticks to his humor and does what he enjoys doing, putting Walt down.

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24. “Say You Want This” S5E16

It’s the last episode of the franchise, and there is so much more violence to be had, as well as spoilers. Walt goes to Jack’s compound where he kills everyone, and eventually gets the key to Jesse’s cell, in which he hopes that Jesse will end up killing Walt.

Jesse holds the gun up and yells that he wants to hear the words, hear that Walt wants to die. But even with him saying so, Jesse is unable to, and ends up leaving in Todd’s El Camino (which leads to the movie, El Camino), leaving Walt to die from his wounds at the compound.

23. “You’re My Free Pass” S3E7

Breaking Bad is all about the twists and turns, loyalty and revenge, trust and lies. And this scene shows off one of those dire moments when everything could crumble with one person.

Jesse blames Walt for his predicament, however, Walt says that Jesse would be in jail right now if Walt didn’t call the fake tip of Hank’s wife being in the hospital. Jesse then claims that he’s planning on making Hank’s life miserable.

Jesse then says that he’ll hand Walt over to the DEA if they plan on intervening, and looks directly into Walt’s eyes as he says, “you’re my free pass,” with so much venom, taking Walt aback.

22. “If I can’t kill you, you’ll sure wish you were dead” S4E1

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When Gus arrives at the lab, he stays quiet, even when Walt launches into a monologue that Gus needs them alive to cook. To the others’ surprise, Gus grabs a box cutter and slices Victor’s throat. He then looks at Jesse and Walt and tells them to go back to work without another word.

At breakfast, Jesse and Walt relive the experience and determine that killing Gale was the right move, however, Walt believes that Gus will kill them the next chance that he gets.

However, Jesse, in good humor, says that they’re all on the same page now, though, and when Walt questions his meaning, Jesse responds with the page that says, “If I can’t kill you, you’ll sure wish you were dead,” one of the best Breaking Bad quotes yet.

21. “If you’re committed enough, you can make any story work” S3E11

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This is what I told myself during college when I had a paper due at midnight but is also one of the best Breaking Bad quotes from the entire franchise. Saul Goodman is an incredibly entertaining individual in the series and has some of the best lines.

Most of his throwaway lines have actually grown into a full backstory in the Better Call Saul series, the spin-off of Breaking Bad. One such line is when he talks to Walt when they are planning on buying the Bogdan’s car wash, and he tells the importance of a story isn’t that others believe, but if you believe it yourself.

20. “Well, technically, chemistry is the study of matter. But I prefer to see it as the study of change” S1E1

It’s amazing that Walt delivers the line that while chemistry is the study of matter, he prefers “to see it as the study of change,” because who really changes the most in this show? Walt.

From the first season, throughout to the final, Walt changes drastically. From a stuck-up man trying to make a better future for his family, to a selfish, egotistical person who believes he is the one above others, to the final version where he finally sees all of his horrible flaws and just accepts them. His character development turns for the worst throughout the franchise and is one reason why everyone can’t get enough of this show.

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19. “A Man Provides” S3E5

Walt visits Gus at the chicken restaurant in town, Los Pollos Hermanos, where Walt admonishes him for giving Jesse’s half of the money to him in an attempt for Walt to work for Gus.

Of course, Gus admits to that ploy and apologizes, but offers to Walt to take a drive with him. In a final attempt to get Walt to work for him, Gus takes him to his meth lab which is discreetly housed within an industrial laundry facility.

While Walt is impressed with the lab, he’s still unsure and declines the offer. Gus doesn’t give up, however, and begins his speech about how a man provides for his family, and if that’s what Walt wants, then he’s the best way to get it. And of course, Walt truly did want to support his family at the beginning of the franchise, however, he’s starting to take a selfish turn and doesn’t take the bait.

18. “You Two Suck at Peddling Meth” S2E11

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While the concept of producing meth with your former student sounds promising, it can be hard to get started in that business, especially if it’s already incredibly saturated in the area.

While it’s not at all like starting a small business, it’s still pretty tricky! But thankfully, Jesse and Walt have Saul on their side, who always has time to stay something a bit sassy.

One such moment is when Saul simply says how bad the two are at peddling meth, which is hilarious. While both characters make some of the best out there, they’re not good at selling it. But thankfully, Saul is on the case to help them get their foot in the door a bit better.

17. “Fight Me and Die” S4E10

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Don Eladio is Gus’ mortal enemy, even if they are his business partner, but that doesn’t stop him from killing them all.

When he poisons the tequila that they all are drinking, he makes sure to force himself to vomit so he does not succumb to the same fate as his enemies. When he sees the rest are standing, he stays firm and warns them to either fight him or die, even though he’s on his last leg as well.

16. “No More Half Measures” S3E12

Walt believes that Jesse is about to do something rash, and in order to stop it, he visits Saul Goodman to plan on Jesse’s jailing to help cool him down. However, when Mike visits Walt at his house, he learns that Mike works for Gus, who would be pretty angry if Jesse was jailed.

Mike then dives into a story about him being a cop at one point, and this moment when he showed mercy to an alcoholic who killed his wife. Mike tells Walt he chose a “half measure” at the time instead of killing the husband and warns Walt “No more half measures.”

Not only is this a haunting story of Mike’s past, but for the third season, really pushes viewers to see that things are about to get so much more intense.

15. “Because I Say So” S5E1

An enraged Mike is terrifying, but thankfully Walt managed to get by with his plans of destroying evidence. As a plan to wipe clean all the information and incriminating footage of Walt, Jesse and Walt use a magnet on a computer to destroy it, ensuring that no one could track Walt to Gus.

And when Mike asks Walt how he knows that his plan worked, Walt simply just says “Because I say so.” This highlights his god-like complex. Both Jesse and Mike are looking a bit taken aback at that response, but Walt is keeping a steady face.

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14. “Just Because You Shot Jesse James, Don’t Make You Jesse James” S5E3

With so many people under their command, paying out most of your earnings to their wages is hard to see. And Walt wants a bit more money than he sees before him. Mike has the cut that is being given to Walt, and when Walt looks shocked, Mike talks about where it’s being divided. Mike’s henchmen get hazard pay, which usually costs more in terms of compensation.

While Walt relents, he observes that his earnings are less than when he was working with Gus, to which Mike simply says, “Just because you shot Jesse James, don’t make you Jesse James.” This takes him back to reality since he is not the main guy in charge. Walt needs to learn his place and this moment demonstrates that well.

13. “Tread Lighty” S5E9

Hank has been searching for Heisenberg through the whole franchise, so of course he’s going to get a bit perturbed when he realizes it’s been his brother-in-law the whole time.

When Walt confronts Hank about the tracking device on his car, Hank has a wild, blank expression on his face. Once they’re alone, Hank punches Walt and accuses him of being Heisenberg. Walt replies that it would be hard to prove that.

They fight, and eventually, Hank realizes that he doesn’t even know who Walt is anymore. Walt menacingly replies that Hank should “tread lightly” then, which is bone-chilling. Hank finally sees the real Walt, and viewers can see how much Walt has changed since the first season.

12. “If You Try to Interfere, This Becomes a Much Simpler Matter” S4E11

After a pleading Walt is abducted by Gus, Walt finds himself in the desert where he is fired as well as threatened by Gus.

Walt wants to bring Jesse back with him to work on cooking meth with him, but Gus insists that Walt refrain from getting to Jesse. When Walt pushes the topic and tries to stand his ground, a ruthless Gus ensures that Walt understands his meaning by explaining that not only he will be affected, but so will his wife and children.

You can see Walt shaking at that response, and the coldness in Gus’ features tells us all that he will do what he needs to for Jesse to stay in his grasp. It’s a brutal scene where Walt once again realizes that he’s not always on top in the criminal underworld.

11. “He’s Just Gonna Break Bad” S1E1

After Walt witnesses Jesse fleeing a crime scene, he tracks him down to blackmail him into working with him. Their interaction is a great introduction to the dynamic that these two have.

They have some amazing banter, and they get a whole new side of each other as they begin their criminal underworld business. Thanks to Walt’s chemistry background, he and Jesse produce some of the highest-quality meth.

But Jesse is still confused. During their initial talk about working together, Jesse questions why some old man wants to do this, why someone like an old chemistry teacher who has a stick up his rear is suddenly going to “break bad.” Not only does it explain the entire meaning of the show, but puts a clear image in the viewer’s head.

10. “I Did It for Me” S5E15

At the start of the franchise, fans and viewers watched Walt grow a business to make sure his family was going to be financially stable once he was gone, believing that he was going to pass from cancer. His only focus was his family.

But as the seasons progressed, fans were able to see a more selfish side of him, taking things to a whole new level just for the thrill of it. In “Granite State,” fans hear that confession as he speaks with Skyler. She’s frustrated and urges Walt not to blame the family for him doing all of this criminal business, and Walt finally says that he did this all for himself, because he liked it, and he was good at it.

Plus, he felt alive. For a man diagnosed with cancer, he took this opportunity to feel more alive than ever, and let it consume him. Even speaking about it, while his face screams exhaustion and defeat, his tone is high and light, a great contrast that shows a whole lot of emotion in a few lines.

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9. “I Watched Jane Die” S5E14

There are a lot of quotes within this show that portray power, and some that push to break someone apart. This Breaking Bad quote shows off Walter’s evil side and shows just how ruthless the man has become over the five seasons.

As Jesse is being hauled away to practically be tortured for information, Walt stops him and spitefully explains how he watched Jane (Jesse’s girlfriend) die. How Walter watched her overdose and explained how he could have saved her but didn’t. Jesse is already crying and begging for mercy, but once Walter says this, you can see the fight leave his body, the way he slumps and just lets himself get pulled away.

This is definitely not a power play, but something he wants Jesse to sit on and remember just how vile Walter, his partner, has become in this world.

8. “My Name Is ASAC Schrader” S5E14

There is a lot of death in Breaking Bad, but that is normal in the criminal underworld. What’s even worse is when your family is brought in with it.

Hank, Walter’s brother-in-law, is intertwined with this world, as he’s part of the DEA, and has constantly been chasing after Walter without realizing it. Even with Hank wounded underneath the barrel of a gun, he still has some amazing lines that keep him from being weak and powerless.

Even in the face of death, he owns it. His last line is making sure people remember him, and it’s incredibly powerful. And with his death, we see Walter falling to the ground in anguish for yet another death.

7. “I’m Not in the Meth Business. I’m in the Empire Business” S5E6

At the beginning of the franchise, it was obvious that a cancer-ridden Walt was doing anything in his power to set his family up financially for his impending death. He had an exact dollar amount in mind that he wanted to try and reach.

But as the seasons went on, it became obvious that Walter wanted much more, knowing that he could achieve greater things. And now when the opportunity to get $5 million is right around the corner, Walter dismisses it, even though a frustrated and tired Jesse wants to accept. Walter talks about their challenges and says that through all their hard work, they are not selling out, because he wants to create an empire.

From season 1 to season 5, this is one of the many moments where you can see the change in Walter and see that he is a different person. You can also see the change in Jesse, who is tired of seeing people die and want to quit before it’s too late.

6. “This Is My Own Private Docile and I Will Not Be Harassed” S2E7

From the start, Jesse is one of the bravest characters in Breaking Bad, and also says some of the most hilarious things in the show. As one of the best Breaking Bad quotes, we see Jesse defending himself in his home.

When Hank traces the RV to Jesse and orders him to open up, Jesse refuses and manages to add his own spin. This gives the viewers an amazing interaction of Walt looking at Jesse dumbfounded, and Jesse seeming pretty pleased with himself.

Not only is this a great scene to laugh about, but really shows the loyalty and bravery that Jesse has, which goes in hand with one of his first scenes of jumping out of a window to escape the authorities.

5. “I Have Spent My Whole Life Scared…” S2E8

It’s hard to choose the very best Breaking Bad quotes when you get closer to the number one spot because they’re all so powerful. Walt notices that Hank is holed up in his home, and offers to give him some motivational advice, which helps Hank leave the house, even while dealing with his panic attacks.

Walter talks about his constant fear throughout his life, but ever since he found out he had cancer, he stopped worrying so much. Even while watching crime dramas, there is always a bit of motivation to help you get through the day.

On one hand, this helps humanize an ever-changing Walter, and on the other hand, creates a bond between Walter and Hank, even though they’re on the opposite ends of the law, which of course, will create more tension down the road once Hank realizes Walter is the one he’s been after all along.

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4. “Waiting for the Cancer to Come Back” S5E4

Being the wife of a criminal is hard, and it seems like no matter how many times Skyler has pleaded, she’s just not heard and is left in the dark.

But this is how we get one of the best Breaking Bad quotes in the franchise, with Skyler being brutally honest about herself and how she is waiting for the cancer to come back.

It’s a brutal speech of her admitting that she is a coward, that she will never go to the police, or keep Walter out of the house or her life, and truly shows just how powerless she feels and is during their relationship. And basically, says that she will wait for his to pass, that it’s the only plan she has. It’s heartbreaking.

3. “I Am the One Who Knocks” S4E6

Whether you’re a Breaking Bad fan or not, you have certainly heard the beginning of this quote. From hit TV show to TikTok, this is an iconic line starting at “Admit you’re in danger” by Skyler, to Walt’s response of “Who are you talking to right now?”

There are a few lines here that create such an amazing scene, not just the highlighted quote above. Walt certainly enjoys the power and has this sense that he’s above so many others. The way he speaks to his wife in this scene is just intimidating and tense.

“I am not in danger. I am the danger,” and the way his eyes go wide like he’s going wild is unbelievable acting. Walter White has an important role in his business, and he’s making sure everyone knows that he is in control, because he is the one who knocks.

2. “You Are Not the Guy” S4E5

Mike Ehrmantraut is one of the best characters in the Breaking Bad franchise, and he has given us a lot of amazing quotes to dive into on this list today. But one of his best Breaking Bad quotes is when he talks to Jesse in his car during their pickups and gives him a quick lecture about “not being the guy.”

Not only does this put Jesse in his place a bit, but the quote had a lot of fans speculating who he was referring to. Now that the show has ended, fans have determined that he was always referring to Nacho, but at the time, it was one of the best quotes to talk about theories.

1. “Say My Name” S5E7

The best Breaking Bad quote is shown in the clip above, specifically at the two-minute mark, where Declan and Walter exchange their proposals. When Walter offers his proposal, Declan seems to be a bit nervous as to why such an offer is being given, so he asks Walter who he is.

Walter, while loving the dramatics, basks in the glory of being one of the best in the game, and prompts Decland to say his name, as he’s pretty well-known. And when Decland softly says it, Walter almost grins, and responds with “You’re right!” It’s a power move and puts him on top of his competitors.

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What is Breaking Bad About?

Breaking Bad is one of the most popular shows and took the world by storm when it premiered in 2008.

The show ran for 5 seasons and has a spin-off show and movie associated with it. Breaking Bad follows a chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. He then turns to manufacturing and selling methamphetamine with a former student in order to secure his family’s future.

Where to Watch Breaking Bad?

If you want to jump into the adventure of Breaking Bad, you can find it on Netflix.

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