35 'Better Things' Quotes that Reflect on Life, Family, and Motherhood

Embarking on the intricate web of family dynamics, motherhood, and the erratic nature of life can be daunting. In the highly-praised series "Better Things," these complexities are laid bare with raw honesty and emotion. Here are 35 quotes from the show to peruse.

Aired from 2016 to 2022, "Better Things" is a TV series that gained critical acclaim for its profound and thought-provoking scenes. The show adeptly captures the intricate nature of life, relationships, family dynamics, and personal growth.

At its core, the series revolves around Sam Fox, a single mother who grapples with the everyday challenges of raising her three daughters—Max, Duke, and Frankie—while pursuing her acting career in the bustling world of Hollywood.

This relatable series excels at portraying flawed yet endearing characters who find solace in one another during times of adversity. The quotes below are nothing short of gold.

Bella's quote: "Being alone and being able to feel good with yourself, that's the ticket." | Source: facebook.com/BetterThingsFX

Sam's Candid Quotes on Life, Love, and the Reality of Motherhood

"My mother is just insane. She makes people feel weird. It's like her hobby." — Sam

"My baby. Your first swear. I wish Uncle Modi was here. Because he would tickle you!" — Sam to Duke

"He makes me, you know, feel like, uggghhh, blagghhh, like a Lady feeling kinda thing." — Sam

"You're primed and you're prepped and abused and adored and harassed and worshipped and then it all stops. All of it. We even age out of the bad things like being fetishized or diminished or talked down to." — Sam

Nail technician's quote to Max: "Those who are diligent in working will prosper...then you don't need a man." | Source: facebook.com/BetterThingsFX

"You know what would be great, Max? If you helped me. It would be great if you helped me. If you cleaned up after yourself, that would be great. If you helped me with your sisters, that would be great." — Sam to Max

"I... Look, I'm...sorry, but it's just...I feel like you keep testing me. Like you demand a certain level of thing from me." — Sam

"I know you think of me like an idiot but I swear to you that I know more about boys and men than you do right now." — Sam to Frankie

"Do you understand that every time you say I hate you to me, it doesn't mean anything anymore?" — Sam to Max

Frankie's quote: "Oh, I'm never getting married again. I don't believe in marriage. I don't believe in marriage." | Source: facebook.com/BetterThingsFX

"You know, life is kind of better without a phone." — Sam to Duke

"You want us to stay home with you and watch scary movies while you cry about this stupid boy?" — Sam to Max

Witty Quotes and Heartfelt Moments from 'Better Things'

"Sam: When's the last time you had your phone?

Duke: I don't know. My dad was supposed to FaceTime me on Friday. And I didn't like carrying it around and looking at it waiting for him to call me when he said he would. But then he never did. Just doesn't feel good. So... think I lost it.

Sam: Okay. I get it.

Duke: Yeah, he's really busy.

Sam: Here. You can play Minecraft on mine.

Duke: It's okay. It's okay." — "Better Things"

Max's quote: "Kids aren't supposed to help their Mom. Their Mom is supposed to help them." | Source: facebook.com/BetterThingsFX

"Guy: All I ask for is basic consideration. Like just common courtesy would be nice.

Sam: No, I don't think that's accurate at all. I feel like you demand a whole lot--too much, frankly, considering what you bring to the table.

Guy: Oh, really?

Sam: Yeah. If you want to know the truth, you need a lot, and you give little. That is so insulting. Well, that may be true, but I think you kind of have it coming. Oh, my God, fine. Okay, I'm mean. Jesus Christ, why does everybody have to be so careful all the time with a man's feelings? 'Ooh, don't hurt the man, his feelings are so important.' You guys are supposed to be tough." — "Better Things"

"Sam: I love you.

Max: Yeah, I love you.

Sam: I don't want you to move out. But I do. So you shouldn't. But please move out soon. But don't.

Max: Oh, wow.

Sam: What?

Max: I just realized you're going to have to go through this three times.

Sam: Oh, Jesus Christ." — "Better Things"

Frankie's quote: "Don't treat me like a baby. You can't stop me from having agency over myself." | Source: facebook.com/BetterThingsFX

"Duke to Rich: You're gonna get through this. Time is your friend. And we're all here for you. And you'll find love again. And if you put the work in now, you'll be better in the long run. And, later, when you meet someone, they'll be better for you because you'll be better then, too.

Rich: Okay.

Duke: Good night. Sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite.

Sam: See you in the morning light.

Duke: Not if I see you first. I love you both." — "Better Things"

"Sunny: Are you having dirty with Mel Trueblood? Oh my god, I love your life.

Sam: You love what you pretend my life is." — "Better Things"

Sam's quote to Max: "Do you understand that every time you say I hate you to me, it doesn't mean anything anymore?" | Source: facebook.com/BetterThingsFX

"Sam Fox: Have I shut down, down there? Am I a man yet? Please tell me I'm close to being a man. No more periods.

Dr. Okoye: I hate to tell you, but you have the reproductive system of a sixteen-year-old.

Sam Fox: Oh, my god.

Dr. Okoye: Yeah. Your tubes are ripe and working." — "Better Things"

"Sam Fox: It really disgusts me how you will sometimes say anything to avoid responsibility for your mistakes. You had a party and you wrecked the house! You're not the first kid to do that. It's not the end of the world.

Max: Then why are you acting like it is?

Sam Fox: Because you make me get this mad before you even look up from your phone!" — "Better Things"

"Constance Zimmer: Figures. Of course. Of course, you're here.

Sam Fox: Because you're here." — "Better Things"

Duke's quote to Rich: "You're gonna get through this. Time is your friend. And we're all here for you. And you'll find love again." | Source: facebook.com/BetterThingsFX

"Constance Zimmer: Are you dating Luke?

Sam Fox: What? No.

Constance Zimmer: I don't know. Somebody said that.

Sam Fox: What? Ewww. No. I'm dating my daughters. They're my love life." — "Better Things"

Unapologetic Quotes from the 'Better Things' Cast

"I just needed it to be my choice when it happened. I just didn't want some guy to take it away from me without my consent. I just needed it to be done and gone. Get rid of it." — Frankie

"Don't treat me like a baby. You can't stop me from having agency over myself." — Frankie

"Mom, I'm not trying to hurt you. I'm trying to help you. So can we please talk about the Hinge profile that I made you?" — Frankie

"Mom, in a few years, my sisters and I will all have moved out and you'll just be dating Gran, so we need to find you a man who's responsible enough to take care of you if you break a hip or something, but still immature enough with you to play pranks." — Frankie

Sam's quote: "My mother is just insane. She makes people feel weird. It's like her hobby." | Source: facebook.com/BetterThingsFX

"Oh, I'm never getting married again. I don't believe in marriage. I don't believe in marriage." — Frankie

"If I ever get the impulse to just strike up conversation with complete strangers everywhere I go, I will 100% hold it against you, Sam." — Frankie

"No offense to my mom but I don't want to be like her. Like, always worrying about money and, like, having to work when I'm old." — Max to Nail technician

"This is giving me so much anxiety. I mean what am I doing? This is, by far, the scariest thing I've ever done. But at the same time, I feel like I'm really putting myself out there and living my life, sort of like how a pioneer feels." — Max

Sam's quote to Duke: "My baby. Your first swear. I wish Uncle Modi was here. Because he would tickle you!" | Source: facebook.com/BetterThingsFX

"I do nail, make a fortune. You know, it's not about how you make your money. It's about how you save your money. Then hide your money." — Nail technician to Max

"Being alone and being able to feel good with yourself, that's the ticket." — Bella

"I'm gonna let you in on a big fat secret that we all know about life. And that is that you don't ever figure it out and you're always behind and it's kind of always unfair, frankly." — Macy

Sam's quote to Duke: "You know, life is kind of better without a phone." | Source: facebook.com/BetterThingsFX

"Those who are diligent in working will prosper...then you don't need a man." — Nail technician to Max

"Here lie Sam and Duke, gone so suddenly. In attendance, her surviving daughters, Frankie and Max, and her friends, Tressa and Rich, who are now in custody of her children because she left no word about how to provide for her children in case of her death." — Rich at a pretend funeral service in Fox family house

Sam's quote: "I... Look, I'm...sorry, but it's just...I feel like you keep testing me. Like you demand a certain level of thing from me." | Source: facebook.com/BetterThingsFX

In "Better Things," we witness the unbreakable bond between Sam and her three daughters, which serves as a reminder of the challenges of balancing personal aspirations with parental duties.

However, what truly sets this show apart is its celebration of imperfections. Through flawed characters, we see how strength and support can be found in each other and are inspired to embrace our own weaknesses and learn from life's setbacks.

In the spirit of exploring love and family dynamics like Sam's, we can also find insightful quotes from Dom and Letty, portrayed by Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez, respectively, in the "Fast and Furious" franchise.