46 Thomas Shelby Quotes for 'Peaky Blinders' Fans

Thomas Shelby, the main protagonist from the critically acclaimed "Peaky Blinders," was a confident, ambitious, and ruthless gang leader who gave viewers some of the best lines from the series. If you're a "Peaky Blinders" fan, you'll love these 46 quotes from the indomitable Thomas Shelby.

Thomas Shelby was one of the most legendary characters in the highly successful British period crime drama, " Peaky Blinders." Set in the aftermath of World War I, "Peaky Blinders" followed Thomas as he fought tooth and nail to improve his and his family's lives.

Throughout the series, Thomas wrestled with the trauma of being a soldier during WWI while navigating a volatile relationship with his main love interest, Grace Shelby.

The conflict-ridden "Peaky Blinders," as well as Thomas's constant run-ins with the law and rival gangs, made for memorable quotes from the series' main protagonist. Here are 46 of the best quotes from the iconic Thomas Shelby.

Thomas Shelby's quote: “The one who keeps causing you pain can never be your peace.” | Image: AmoDays

THOMAS SHELBY QUOTES ABOUT LIFE

“Those of you who are last will soon be first. And those of you who are downtrodden will rise up.” — Thomas Shelby

“Pain changes people. It makes them trustless. Overthink more, and shut people out.” — Thomas Shelby

"Do I look like a man who wants a simple life?” — Thomas Shelby

“She’s in the past. The past is not my concern. The future is no longer my concern, either.” — Thomas Shelby

“The one who keeps causing you pain can never be your peace.” — Thomas Shelby

Thomas Shelby's quote: “Those of you who are last will soon be first. And those of you who are downtrodden will rise up.” | Image: AmoDays

“Fortune drops something valuable into your lap; you don’t just dump it on the bank of the cut.” — Thomas Shelby

THOMAS SHELBY QUOTES ABOUT LOVE

“I learnt long ago to hate my enemies, but I’ve never loved one before.” — Thomas Shelby

“You are still the one that I love, the only one I dream of.” — Thomas Shelby

“A real man chooses to honor, love, respect, adore, and be faithful to one woman.” — Thomas Shelby

“Oh, and there’s a woman. Yeah. A woman I love—and I got close. I nearly got [expletive] everything!” — Thomas Shelby

Thomas Shelby's quote: “You are still the one that I love, the only one I dream of.” | Image: AmoDays

“You once said to me that men like us can never be loved. She loves me, she told me—she loves me.” — Thomas Shelby

“A few days without you and I completely lost my mind.” — Thomas Shelby

“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.” — Thomas Shelby

Grace: “I warn you, I’ll break your heart.”

Thomas: “Already broken.” — "Peaky Blinders"

Thomas Shelby's quote: “I imagine being shot by a woman hurts the same as being shot by a man. Just a bit more shameful.” | Image: AmoDays

SHORT THOMAS SHELBY QUOTES

“You have to get what you want your own way.” — Thomas Shelby

“Lies travel faster than the truth.” — Thomas Shelby

“You strike when your enemy is weak.” — Thomas Shelby

Thomas Shelby's quote: “I can be scared and carry on.” | Image: AmoDays

“All religion is a foolish answer to a foolish question.” — Thomas Shelby

“When you plan something well, there’s no need to rush.” — Thomas Shelby

“If you’re soft on rebellion, it’ll grow.” — Thomas Shelby

“I can be scared and carry on.” — Thomas Shelby

“You can change what you do, but you can’t change what you want.” — Thomas Shelby

Thomas Shelby's quote: “You have to get what you want your own way.” | Image: AmoDays

“Conviction introduces emotion, which is the enemy of oratory.” — Thomas Shelby

“A good man needs to hold out sometimes.” — Thomas Shelby

“Get yourself a decent haircut, man. We’re going to the races.” — Thomas Shelby

“There is no rest for me in this world. Perhaps in the next.” — Thomas Shelby

Thomas Shelby's quote: “Lies travel faster than the truth.” | Image: AmoDays

“Good taste is for people who can’t afford sapphires.” — Thomas Shelby

“If you make the wrong choice, you won’t see 11:44.” — Thomas Shelby

“It’s not a good idea to look at Thomas Shelby the wrong way.” — Thomas Shelby

“You don’t parley when you’re on the back foot.” — Thomas Shelby

Thomas Shelby's quote: “You strike when your enemy is weak.” | Image: AmoDays

THOMAS SHELBY QUOTES THAT SHOW HIS CONFIDENCE

“I don’t pay for suits. My suits are on the house, or the house burns down.” — Thomas Shelby

“I’m not a traitor to my class. I am just an extreme example of what a working man can achieve.” — Thomas Shelby

“I can charm dogs. Gypsy witchcraft. And those I can’t charm, I can kill with my own hands.” — Thomas Shelby

“A man needs to prove he is better than me, rather than show me his birth certificate.” — Thomas Shelby

“I will continue until I find a man that I can’t defeat.” — Thomas Shelby

Thomas Shelby's quote: “I’m not a traitor to my class. I am just an extreme example of what a working man can achieve.” | Image: AmoDays

THOMAS SHELBY QUOTES ABOUT WAR

“The only way to guarantee peace is by making the prospect of war seem hopeless.” — Thomas Shelby

“Five for peace, two for truce, one abstention. Let’s get on with the war.” — Thomas Shelby

“Now, why would I shake the hand of a man who didn’t even fight for his country?” — Thomas Shelby

“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.” — Thomas Shelby

THOMAS SHELBY QUOTES ABOUT DEATH

“I have made arrangements with men I trust. If I should die, then you will die, know that.” — Thomas Shelby

Thomas Shelby's quote: “The only way to guarantee peace is by making the prospect of war seem hopeless.” | Image: AmoDays

“I imagine being shot by a woman hurts the same as being shot by a man. Just a bit more shameful.” — Thomas Shelby

“In France, I got used to seeing men die. I never got used to seeing horses die.” — Thomas Shelby

“Sometimes death is a kindness.” — Thomas Shelby

“Today, it will be me dead or you. But whoever it is, he’ll wake up in hell tomorrow.” — Thomas Shelby

“You know, gentlemen, there is hell, and there is another place below hell.” — Thomas Shelby

“Killing a man affects the heart.” — Thomas Shelby

Thomas Shelby's quote: “I have made arrangements with men I trust. If I should die, then you will die, know that.” | Image: AmoDays

There are several reasons to admire Thomas Shelby, despite his less than legal means to acquire wealth and power. He never forgot his roots and remained confident in his abilities to outsmart all his rivals, regardless of their power. Moreso, Thomas remained loyal to his family and always kept them in mind while leading the peaky blinders gang.

Finally, he never allowed the disillusionment that he experienced after fighting in the war to keep him dejected. Instead, he never gave up and even gained himself a seat in Parliament. And that is something we can all admire, save for the illegal methods.

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