The American legal drama Suits ran for eight years and nine seasons on the USA Network, and here are the best Suits quotes from co-lead Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht). Following Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) who uses his photographic memory to secure a job with successful lawyer Harvey, Suits follows the pair as they work for a fictional NYC law firm and successfully close many a case. While Harvey knows that Mike is a fraud who dropped out of college and never attended law school, he decides to keep Mike’s secret, and his impressive knowledge and prowess in the courtroom prove to make the two an effective team.
The cast of Suits saw a few changes over the years, with Mike eventually leaving the show. However, Macht was a series mainstay and his character’s inclusion helped keep the series successful over the course of nine seasons. While most may know the show now because of Meghan Markle, Harvey Specter was truly the main attraction, doling out some of the most memorable Suits quotes and closing cases like it’s going out of style. With its witty repartee and high-stakes storylines, Suits stands as one of the best legal dramas in American television, and here are the best Harvey quotes from the show.
10 “That’s The Difference Between You And Me. You Wanna Lose Small, I Wanna Win Big.”
- Season 2, Episode 5, “Break Point”
One of the most character-defining Suits quotes comes from one of the best season 2 episodes “Break Point.” It is no secret that Harvey Specter will go to great lengths to win his cases. Bluffing, coercive persuasion, and calling in a favor or two have often been Harvey’s go-to methods. Winning is important to Harvey because, after all, there are only two types of lawyers — winners and losers, and Harvey knows which type he is. Harvey said this line in season 2 at the moment when his career was on the line, because even then he wasn’t about to throw in the towel and settle.
9 “I Don’t Play The Odds, I Play The Man.”
- Season 2, Episode 6, “All In”
In the pilot, when Harvey was searching for an associate, he told Donna that he’s looking for “another me” and to give him a wink when one of the applicants says something clever. He ended up hiring a college drop-out with no law degree, but with a sharp wit. Harvey took Mike under his wing and taught him everything he needs to know in order to be one of New York’s top lawyers. Harvey never shied away from unorthodox methods if he’d come out on top by using them. This came in handy (and offered one of the best Suits quotes) when he and Mike had to take on a case they’d normally walk away from. He taught Mike that in order to be a great lawyer he needs to worry about his opponents and figure out how to use their weaknesses against them, meaning: play the man.
8 “I’m Against Having Emotions, Not Against Using Them.”
- Season 1, Episode 10, “The Shelf Life”
Another one of the best Suits quotes comes from late in the show’s first season, and it’s another character-defining moment for Harvey Specter. In the episode, Mike and Harvey have to fire Senior Vice President of Dreibach Accounting Stan Jacobson, since he has spent the last nine years working there without a diploma. Given his own standing, Mike obviously feels torn about this decision. In the episode, Mike asks Harvey “I thought you were against emotions?”, to which Harvey wittily replies “I’m against having emotions, not against using them.” The quote certainly highlights that Harvey is a shark who will use anything and everything he can to win.
7 “Winners Don’t Make Excuses.”
- Season 1, Episode 12, “Dog Fight”
In the season 1 finale, when Mike was dealing with an untrustworthy opponent in his mock trial while Harvey was having a real (and much larger) law problem to take care of, Harvey taught Mike yet another important lesson with one of the best Suits quotes. Harvey made it clear that Mike needs to use this mock trial to figure out what type of lawyer he wants to be. If he wants to win, then he has to figure out a way to beat his opponent no matter what the case throws at him.
6 “When You Are Backed Against The Wall, Break The Godd*mn Thing Down.”
- Season 8, Episode 15, “Stalking Horse”
Harvey isn’t one to give up, no matter how many obstacles are put in his way, which is only further evidenced by one of his best Suits quotes. Whenever it seems like he’s backed into a corner without any means of escape, Harvey manages to find a way to turn the tables. This was the case in particular when Harvey’s deal is complicated by Donna’s relationship in “Stalking Horse.” He gets creative and finds a way to take down any limitations placed upon him. The lesson here is clear: being in a bad position doesn’t mean one is out of the game completely. Just think outside the box and find a way around the obstacles.
5 “You Don’t Send A Puppy To Clean Up Its Own Mess.”
- Season 1, Episode 5, “Bail Out”
When Harvey gets held up by the police because of a car accident, he tasks Mike with taking an important meeting with a client, thinking there’s no way he can possibly mess it up. Of course, Mike does mess it up, which upsets both Harvey and Jessica. When Mike goes back to the client to fix it, he actually makes it worse, resulting in one of the most memorable Suits quotes. Owning up to one’s mistakes and making things right is great, but sometimes it just doesn’t work that way. Sometimes, someone else needs to step up and clean up the mess that was made.
4 “What Are Your Choices When Someone Puts A Gun To Your Head?”
- Season 1, Episode 2, “Errors and Omissions”
When Louis blackmailed Mike in one of the best episodes of season 1, he essentially put a gun to Mike’s head, Mike did what he was told, figuring he’s making the best out of a bad situation. Harvey, however, didn’t agree with Mike’s analysis of the situation and offered up one of the best Suits quotes. When Mike said his only option was to do as he was told or be ‘shot,’ Harvey berated him: “Wrong! You take the gun, or you pull out a bigger one. Or, you call their bluff. Or, you do any one of a hundred and forty-six other things.” While Harvey is clearly using hyperbole here, his words are no less significant because of it. He’s trying to tell Mike that he always has a choice.
3 “I Refuse To Answer That On The Grounds That I Don’t Want To.”
- Season 1, Episode 5, “Bail Out”
Often cited as Harvey’s best zinger and one of the best Suits quotes, this quote would never officially fly in a court of law. However, Harvey Specter proves to audiences and everyone on the show that he lives life by his own rules when he’s called as a witness for his driver in a civil suit. Somehow, the determined lawyer manages to get away with this, but no one should ever try this in a real-life courtroom. Regardless, it stands as one of the most character-defining and iconic Harvey Specter quotes.
2 “I Don’t Have Dreams, I Have Goals.”
- Season 3, Episode 6, “The Other Time”
There are a great many quotes about the value and importance of having dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt said that “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” But, sometimes dreams just aren’t enough. Sometimes, people need something more concrete, like goals. At least that’s what Harvey Specter believes anyway. When Harvey finally made senior partner in season 3, Donna called it a dream come true, but Harvey corrected her with one of the most memorable Suits quotes. It’s yet another one of those simple Harvey Specter one-liners that have a way of becoming etched in audiences’ minds.
1 “Life Is This. I Like This.”
- Season 1, Episode 10, “The Shelf Life”
Harvey Specter has always been open about who is, usually resulting in the best Suits quotes. He likes the finer things in life, and he isn’t afraid to go after them. When he first started at the firm, he worked like hell to prove his worth and make a name for himself. He became a lawyer and built a successful career because he knew what kind of life he wanted to lead.In season 1, he explained to young Mike Ross why he does what he does: “Life is this (waves his hand slightly above the table). I like this (raises his hand above his head).” If there’s a Harvey Specter quote that best represents this iconic character it’s got to be this one, and it more than epitomizes why he made Suits so captivating to watch.
