- Francis Underwood: Such a waste of talent. He chose money over power. In this town, a mistake nearly everyone makes. Money is the McMansion in Sarasota that starts falling apart after 10 years. Power is the old stone building that stands for centuries. I cannot respect someone who doesn't see the difference.
- [first lines]
- Francis Underwood: There are two kinds of pain. The sort of pain that makes you strong, or useless pain. The sort of pain that's only suffering. I have no patience for useless things.
- [strangles dog]
- Francis Underwood: For those of us climbing to the top of the food chain, there can be no mercy. There is but one rule: hunt or be hunted.
- Francis Underwood: I've always loathed the necessity of sleep. Like death, it puts even the most powerful men on their backs.
- Francis Underwood: You can't purchase loyalty Raymond. Not the sort I have in mind. If you want to earn my loyalty then you have to offer yours in return. And if we can agree to that - well, you're a man with imagination.
- Francis Underwood: [to his bodyguard] From this moment on you are a rock. You absorb nothing, you saying nothing, and nothing breaks you.
- Francis Underwood: It's so refreshing to work with someone who'll throw a saddle on a gift horse rather than look it in the mouth.
- Francis Underwood: [ending a bathroom squabble] I know you take a lot of pride in your manhood, Bob, it's impressive. But as big as it is, Linda can still shut the door on it.
- Rachel Brosnahan: You got a light?
- Rep. Peter Russo: This is a cancer research event.
- Rachel Brosnahan: I know, I helped organize it.