10 Best Penguin Quotes In DC Movies & TV Shows

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With The Penguin ranking as one of Batman"s most iconic enemies, it"s no surprise that the character has delivered many memorable quotes across his movie and TV appearances. Having been a staple of Batman stories on both the page and screen for decades, the Penguin is an instantly recognizable character from the Dark Knight’s mythos. Many actors have played the Penguin in live-action, each bringing something different to the role in their respective incarnation of the infamous villain.
With so many unique takes on the character having been brought to life over the years, the Penguin has been represented in a variety of ways. Much like other Batman movie villain quotes, there have been a number of quirky, hilarious, or otherwise memorable lines uttered by on-screen incarnations of the Penguin in both film and TV adaptations. With that in mind, here are the 10 best Penguin quotes in DC movies and TV shows.
10 "No Habla Español, Fellas?" Colin Farrell, The Batman (2022) Though the Penguin was a relatively small part of The Batman’s cast of characters, Colin Farrell’s iteration of the villain was noteworthy for his place as part of Carmine Falcone’s organization. Though he was far from the avian-themed villain he’s typically shown to be, his knowledge of broader subjects and Gotham’s criminal element proved especially useful to Batman. When interrogating Penguin about the Riddler’s cryptic Spanish clue, the villain reveals he understands Spanish, correcting Batman and Gordon"s perception of the mystery with the line: “No habla Español, fellas?”
Coming as it does in such a tense interrogation, the line feels like a hint of the spark that will make Penguin one of Gotham’s most significant figures. It shows that he’s deceptively intelligent and far less afraid of Batman than he otherwise seems, subtly outlining the character of the Penguin within Matt Reeves’ Batman universe. Farrell’s delivery of the line is also excellent, communicating Penguin’s desperation and frustration all at once.
9 “Walking With A Friend In The Dark Is Better Than Walking Alone In The Light.” Robin Lord Taylor, Gotham, season 1, episode 15, "The Scarecrow" The Penguin is one of Gotham’s best-represented villains, with the show giving extra care to developing his character over the course of its 5-season run. Starting out as an ambitious informant, Oswald Cobblepot gradually rises to the top of Gotham’s criminal underworld, establishing a complex relationship with Jim Gordon along the way. Early in the show’s run, Penguin tells Gordon that “walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.”
It’s a deep quote that encapsulates Penguin’s feelings about their tentative friendship. Paraphrased from a quote by Helen Keller, Penguin’s use of an inspirational line to vaguely assert control in his friendship with Gordon in an attempt to nurture corruption in the GCPD is an excellent indicator of his ruthlessness. It’s a line that speaks to Penguin’s intelligence and ambition, and makes for an incredibly memorable moment for the Gotham villain.
8 "I'd Never Kidnap A Fellow Rogue Out Of A Sickbed. It Just Isn't Done." Paul Williams, Batman: The Animated Series, season 3, episode 2, "Second Chance" Batman: The Animated Series brought the world of the Dark Knight to life with groundbreaking comic accuracy, offering up a family-friendly adaptation of the Batman mythos. This was especially true of the show’s Penguin, who was written to lean heavily on his bird-themed gimmicks. One episode sees Batman attempting to locate the missing Two-Face, and when he asks Penguin if he’s responsible, the villain replies: “I’d never kidnap a fellow rogue out of a sickbed. It just isn’t done.”
The quote is an excellent indicator of who Penguin is in Batman: The Animated Series. He’s a hardened criminal, but his own code of ethics is something he values incredibly highly, and the notion of honor among thieves is paramount to him. It’s a quote that belies the deceptive depth of the character within The Animated Series, who, despite his avian roguery, doesn’t consider himself above reproach.
7 “Remember, No Politics. Issues Confuse People.” Burgess Meredith, Batman (1966), season 2, episode 17, "Hizzonner the Penguin" Close For all its dated campiness and wacky charm, the Batman TV series of the 1960s remains iconic in many ways. Its depiction of the adventures of Batman and his villains was truly groundbreaking, and remains beloved for its witty and lighthearted approach to adapting a wealth of DC characters. One episode, which sees the Penguin running for Mayor of Gotham City and discussing his campaign protocols, leads to the line: “remember, no politics. Issues confuse people.”
The quote works so well, even decades after it was uttered. Burgess Meredith is able to inject dry comedy into the line, which perfectly captures the nonsensical nature of Penguin’s plan. The ridiculousness of the moment cements Penguin as an underhanded character while also communicating the unerring spirit of fun with which the TV show approached its Batman stories. As such, it remains one of the Penguin"s best quotes in his film and TV history.
6 “Why Is There Always Someone Who Brings Eggs And Tomatoes To A Speech?” Danny DeVito, Batman Returns (1992) Another story in which the Penguin runs for Mayor of Gotham takes a decidedly different approach to the character. Tim Burton cast Danny DeVito in the role of the villain for the 1992 movie Batman Returns, embracing a more grotesque iteration of the Penguin. During his speech, the crowd begins to turn on Penguin, pelting him with fruits and vegetables in anger. As he shelters from the projectiles, he remarks: “why is there always someone who brings eggs and tomatoes to a speech?”
The line works perfectly with Danny DeVito’s comedic delivery, and it also matches up with the quirkiness of Burton’s Gotham City. It’s a knowing observation of a common trope in film and TV, and it comes at a moment that makes the Penguin seem marginally more human before he begins attacking civilians. The line is cleverly written and expertly delivered by DeVito, making it an unforgettable Penguin quote.
5 “When You Know What A Man Loves, You Know What Can Kill Him.” Robin Lord Taylor, Gotham, season 1, episode 7, "Penguin's Umbrella" Though Gotham’s iterations of some Batman villains left much to be desired, the attention it afforded to Penguin’s story made him one of its most well-rounded characters. As part of his rise to the pinnacle of Gotham’s criminal hierarchy, Penguin is shown overcoming many obstacles through sheer ruthless ambition from very early on in the show’s run. One such moment sees him explain to a fellow rogue: “when you know what a man loves, you know what can kill him.”
The line is delivered at a moment when Penguin appears to be at his weakest, with Frankie Carbone ready to kill him. However, the quote marks a turning point for Penguin, who announces that Carbone’s love of money has allowed him to buy out Carbone’s henchmen. It’s the frankness of the observation, combined with the deviousness of his plan, that makes the quote an excellent embodiment of Gotham’s Penguin.
4 "Gentlemen - And I Use The Term Loosely - After You." Paul Williams, Batman: The Animated Series, season 1, episode 20, "I've Got Batman in My Basement" Close As the Penguin is one of the villains that Batman: The Animated Series nailed, it’s unsurprising that many of the character’s quotes live on as particularly excellent. In the episode “I’ve Got Batman in My Basement”, Penguin gestures his thugs out of the building. In doing so, he says: “Gentlemen - and I use the term loosely – after you.”
It’s a relatively pithy quote, and continues to stand out as one of the finer touches to Penguin’s characterization in The Animated Series. The implications of the line help flesh out the villain’s character, as it subtly implies his distaste for the company he’s forced to keep and belies his own haughty ambitions. In a passing moment, The Animated Series is able to establish Penguin as a criminal with ideas beyond his station, building the foundations of a truly excellent depiction of the villain.
3 “War Is Just Politics By Other Means.” Robin Lord Taylor, Gotham, season 1, episode 4, "Arkham" Throughout Gotham’s run, Penguin was undoubtedly one of the show’s most important figures. From its pilot episode, he played a major role in Gotham’s overall story, with his fledgling friendship with Jim Gordon quickly turning sour as Cobblepot continues to callously climb through the ranks of Gotham’s criminal network. In one particularly tense moment early in Penguin’s character arc, he tells Gordon: “War is just politics by any other means.”
Though Penguin is explaining that gang war is actually to help the Mayor gain control of Arkham, the quote itself is originally from Prussian General Carl von Clausewitz. Penguin’s knowledge of somewhat obscure figures from European military history is perfectly in keeping with the character, and hints at the level of consideration he gives to matters of Gotham’s criminal society. Not only does the quote perfectly communicate Penguin’s point, but it establishes his intelligence in matters of tactics and philosophy.
2 “They Wouldn’t Put Me On A Pedestal, So I’m Laying Them On A Slab.” Danny DeVito, Batman Returns (1992) Batman Returns’ incarnation of the Penguin moved away from the more traditional approach to the character taken by the comics, and made him a disfigured sociopath who considered himself more animal than human. This worked perfectly with Tim Burton’s vision for Gotham, and it also provided a unique spin on the villain, facilitating a story as touching as it was disturbing. After attempting and failing to assimilate into society, Penguin announces: “they wouldn’t put me on a pedestal, so I’m laying ‘em on a slab!”
The quote is every bit as stark and haunting as DeVito’s iteration of the Penguin. Despite the malice in the line, there’s also a depth of vulnerability due to the rejection that shaped Burton’s take on the villain. By announcing his violent intentions in such a way, DeVito delivers an instantly memorable line that immortalizes his version of the character.
1 “Ah, The Direct Approach, I Admire That In A Man With A Mask.” Danny DeVito, Batman Returns (1992) In an exchange with Batman, Danny DeVito’s Penguin is also able to showcase his ability for quick-witted comedy. Not only is Batman Returns’ Penguin animalistic and vicious, but he’s also equipped with a rapier-sharp wit that is showcased on multiple occasions, pointing out the hypocrisy of those around him. After being questioned by Batman, he simply remarks: “Ah, the direct approach. I like that in a man with a mask.”
The line pokes fun at Batman while also establishing the Penguin as a villain not willing to let the hero scare him into submission. The quote symbolizes an unspoken power struggle between the two characters, with Penguin asserting himself as someone who believes he can see through Batman to the human beneath. It’s a line that’s as funny as it is clever, making it one of the Penguin’s best ever quotes across his film and TV appearances.
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