In the realm of compelling television characters, few have captivated audiences quite like Tommy Shelby, the enigmatic protagonist of the hit series “Peaky Blinders.” Portrayed by the talented actor Cillian Murphy, Tommy Shelby embodies a complex blend of intelligence, ambition, and ruthless determination. As the leader of the notorious Shelby crime family in post-World War I Birmingham, England, Tommy’s character is known for his sharp wit, unwavering resolve, and an arsenal of memorable quotes.
Throughout the show’s gripping narrative, Tommy Shelby’s dialogue is imbued with a distinctive mix of charm, cynicism, and calculated power. His razor-sharp tongue leaves an indelible mark, and his words have become iconic, often revealing profound insights into human nature, survival, and the price of power.
This article delves into the enigmatic world of Tommy Shelby’s quotes, unearthing the significance and impact behind his memorable lines. From his poignant reflections on life’s struggles to his moments of explosive intensity, we explore the depth and complexity that makes Tommy Shelby an unforgettable character.
While the character of Tommy Shelby may exist within a fictional world, his quotes resonate beyond the screen, offering valuable lessons and perspectives for our own lives. Whether you’re a fan of “Peaky Blinders” or simply fascinated by captivating characters and their profound insights, join us on this journey as we unpack the brilliance and charisma of Tommy Shelby through his most memorable quotes.
Thomas Shelby Quotes
Note: It’s important to remember that the character of Tommy Shelby is a fictional creation, and any analysis or discussion of his quotes should be done within the context of the television series.
1. I know that you all want me to say that I’ll change, that this fucking business will change, but I’ve learnt something in the last few days. Those bastards. Those bastards are worse than us. Politicians, fucking judges, lords and ladies. They’re worse than us, and they will never admit us to their palaces, no matter how legitimate we become because of who we are.
Tommy Shelby
2. You strike when your enemy is weak.
Tommy Shelby
3. You don’t parley when you’re on the back foot.
Tommy Shelby
4. You can change what you do, but you can’t change what you want.
Tommy Shelby
5. A good man needs to hold out sometimes.
Tommy Shelby
6. Good taste is for people who can’t afford sapphires.
Tommy Shelby
7. If you’re soft on rebellion, it’ll grow.
Tommy Shelby
8. When you plan something well there’s no need to rush.
Tommy Shelby
9. Lies travel faster than the truth.
Tommy Shelby
10. There is no rest for me in this world. Perhaps in the next.
Tommy Shelby
11. It’s business, Grace. And bad, bad business it is, all round. And I’m scared, Grace. I’m scared for you. I’m scared for the baby. And this is how I am when I’m scared. It is unfamiliar to you but not to me. I can fucking be scared and carry on. And it’s not pleasant to look at and no joy to be around.
Tommy Shelby
12. You have to get what you want your own way.
Tommy Shelby
13. Get yourself a decent haircut, man. We’re going to the races.
Tommy Shelby
14. It’s not a good idea to look at Tommy Shelby the wrong way.
Tommy Shelby
15. All religion is a foolish answer to a foolish question.
Tommy Shelby
16. I imagine being shot by a woman hurts the same as being shot by a man. Just a bit more shameful.
Tommy Shelby
17. In pubs sometimes people say things and sometimes it’s the whisky talking. It’s hard to tell which is which.
Tommy Shelby
18. Five for peace, two for truce, one abstention. Let’s get on with the war.
Tommy Shelby
19. Fortune drops something valuable into your lap, you don’t just dump it on the bank of the cut.
Tommy Shelby
20. I have made arrangements with men I trust. If I should die, then you will die, know that.
Tommy Shelby
21. Whiskey is good proofing water. It tells you who’s real and who isn’t.
Tommy Shelby
22. In France I got used to seeing men die. I never got used to seeing horses die.
Tommy Shelby
23. She’s in the past. The past is not my concern. The future is no longer my concern, either.
Tommy Shelby
24. I don’t pay for suits. My suits are on the house or the house burns down.
Tommy Shelby
25. If you apologize once, you do it again and again and again. Like taking bricks out of the wall of your fucking house.
Tommy Shelby
26. The only way to guarantee peace is by making the prospect of war seem hopeless.
Tommy Shelby
27. Today, it will be me dead or you. But whoever it is, he’ll wake up in hell tomorrow.
Tommy Shelby
28. You know, gentlemen, there is hell, and there is another place below hell.
Tommy Shelby
29. I’m not a traitor to my class. I am just an extreme example of what a working man can achieve.
Tommy Shelby
30. The one minute. The soldier’s minute. In a battle, that’s all you get. One minute of everything at once. And anything before is nothing. Everything after, nothing. Nothing in comparison to that one minute.
Tommy Shelby
Thomas Shelby Quotes About Life
31. Do I look like a man who wants a simple life?
Tommy Shelby
32. In France, I got used to seeing men die. I never got used to seeing horses die.
Tommy Shelby
33. Sometimes death is a kindness.
Tommy Shelby
34. Today, it will be me dead or you. But whoever it is, he’ll wake up in hell tomorrow.
Tommy Shelby
35. You know, gentlemen, there is hell, and there is another place below hell.
Tommy Shelby
36. Lies travel faster than the truth.
Tommy Shelby
37. A good man needs to hold out sometimes.
Tommy Shelby
38. Life’s not about fairness. It’s about survival.
Tommy Shelby
39. You have to get what you want your own way.
Tommy Shelby
40. You can change what you do, but you can’t change what you want.
Tommy Shelby
Thomas Shelby Quotes About Love
41. We used to come here, she’d wait for hours for me, when I couldn’t make it. And I’d wait for her if her family kept her in.
Tommy Shelby
42. A few days without you and I completely lost my mind.
Tommy Shelby
43. You once said to me, that men like us can never be loved. She loves me, she told me—she loves me.
Tommy Shelby
44. Oh, and there’s a woman. Yeah. A woman I love—and I got close. I nearly got f*cking everything!
Thomas Shelby
45. A real man chooses to honour, love, respect, adore, and be faithful to one woman.
Thomas Shelby
46. You are still the one that I love, the only one I dream of.
Thomas Shelby
47. I learnt long ago to hate my enemies, but I’ve never loved one before.
Thomas Shelby
48. You can’t trust anyone in this world. The only person you can rely on is yourself.
Thomas Shelby
49. I don’t believe in love. It’s just a weakness that people use to justify their own mistakes.
Thomas Shelby
50. Love is a dangerous thing. It can make a man do things he never would have dreamed of.
Thomas Shelby
51. There’s no such thing as loyalty. It’s just a word people use to make themselves feel better.
Thomas Shelby
Tommy Shelby Quote
52. When you plan something well, there’s no need to rush.
Thomas Shelby
53. Fortune drops something valuable into your lap; you don’t just dump it on the bank of the cut.
Thomas Shelby
54. Those of you who are last will soon be first. And those of you who are downtrodden will rise up.
Thomas Shelby
55. One minute of everything at once. And anything before is nothing. Everything after, nothing. Nothing in comparison to that one minute.
Thomas Shelby
56. I’m not afraid to die. I’m afraid of living a life that doesn’t matter.
Thomas Shelby
57. I can charm dogs. Gypsy witchcraft. And those I can’t charm, I can kill with my own hands.
Thomas Shelby