75 Iconic Doctor Who Quotes

For decades, Doctor Who has captivated audiences with its imaginative storytelling, intricate plots, and unforgettable characters. From the enigmatic wisdom of the Time Lords to the whimsical banter of companions, dialogue in Doctor Who often resonates with viewers, offering timeless lessons and memorable moments. Whether you're a seasoned Whovian or a curious newcomer, exploring the iconic quotes from this beloved series provides a glimpse into its heart and soul. Join us as we delve into a curated collection of the top 75 Doctor Who quotes that have left indelible marks on fans across the galaxy, highlighting the profound and playful wisdom of this legendary show.

1. “I know that David Tennant's Hamlet isn't till July. And lots of people are going to be doing Dr Who in Hamlet jokes, so this is just me getting it out of the way early, to avoid the rush..."To be, or not to be, that is the question. Weeelll.... More of A question really. Not THE question. Because, well, I mean, there are billions and billions of questions out there, and well, when I say billions, I mean, when you add in the answers, not just the questions, weeelll, you're looking at numbers that are positively astronomical and... for that matter the other question is what you lot are doing on this planet in the first place, and er, did anyone try just pushing this little red button?” - Neil Gaiman

2. “Doctor Who: You want weapons? We're in a library. Books are the best weapon in the world. This room's the greatest arsenal we could have. Arm yourself!(from Tooth and Claw in Season 2)” - Russell T. Davies

3. “He'd actually done it! He leaned back into the microphone and whispered to the now silent cave: 'Come to the Cabaret!” - Paul Cornell

4. “When you run with the Doctor, it feels like it'll never end. But however hard you try you can't run forever. Everybody knows that everybody dies and nobody knows it like the Doctor. But I do think that all the skies of all the worlds might just turn dark if he ever for one moment, accepts it. Everybody knows that everybody dies. But not every day. Not today. Some days are special. Some days are so, so blessed. Some days, nobody dies at all. (In the library, the Doctor walks back to the TARDIS. He stops, looking at the doors. Then he raises his hand, and stands there poised like that for a long moment. Finally he snaps his fingers. The doors open. He smiles slowly and walks in, joining Donna. Then he snaps his fingers again, and the doors close. River's voice continues over this.) Now and then, every once in a very long while, every day in a million days, when the wind stands fair, and the Doctor comes to call... everybody lives.” - Steven Moffat

5. “Reinette: One may tolerate a world of demons for the sake of an angel.” - Steven Moffat

6. “John Smith: Mankind doesn't need warfare and bloodshed to prove itself. Everyday life can provide honour and valour. Let's hope that from now on this country can find its heroes in smaller places. In the most ordinary of deeds.” - Paul Cornell

7. “He's like fire and ice and rage. He's like the night, and the storm in the heart of the sun. He's ancient and forever. He burns at the center of time and he can see the turn of the universe. And... he's wonderful. - Tim Latimer” - Paul Cornell

8. “Cyber Leader: Daleks, be warned. You have declared war upon the Cybermen. Dalek Sec: This is not war - this is pest control! Cyber Leader: We have five million Cybermen. How many are you? Dalek Sec: Four. Cyber Leader: You would destroy the Cybermen with four Daleks? Dalek Sec: We would destroy the Cybermen with one Dalek! You superior in only one respect. Cyber Leader: What is that? Dalek Sec: You are better at dying.” - Russell T. Davies

9. “The universe is big, its vast and complicated, and ridiculous. And sometimes, very rarely, impossible things just happen and we call them miracles. And that's the theory. Nine hundred years, never seen one yet, but this would do me.” - Steven Moffat

10. “No, look, there's a blue box. It's bigger on the inside than it is on the outside. It can go anywhere in time and space and sometimes even where it's meant to go. And when it turns up, there's a bloke in it called The Doctor and there will be stuff wrong and he will do his best to sort it out and he will probably succeed 'cause he's awesome. Now sit down, shut up, and watch 'Blink'.” - Neil Gaiman

11. “Rose:i love youDoctor:Quite right, and i guess if it's my last chance to say it... Rose Tyler...(the doctor fades, him in his TARDIS, with tear tracks and a tear running down his cheek)” - Russell T. Davies

12. “It's Smith, actually.' Dr Smith smiled, bowing. 'I've remembered that my name is Smith. Almost definitely. Good old English name. Hopefully means 'noble valiant warriot' and not 'he who hits kittens with a hammer.' You'd be surprised the derivations of common surnames in the English countryside...” - James Goss

13. “[Amy] pulled a face. 'Honestly, when you grow up you'll learn you may as well try herding cats as keeping men in one place,' she told me solemnly, which I vowed to remember.” - James Goss

14. “Oh, and I [Amy] may also have told him that I quite fancied Dr Smith [The Doctor]. Which in the 1780s was probably punishable by stoning or corsets.” - James Goss

15. “Rory stood up with some difficulty, the chair still tied to him. He leaned over me [Maria] and managed to pull my ropes free. Then he turned to Dr Bloom.'We're escaping,' he said. 'Goodbye.'Chair still tied to his back, he ran with me from the room. I take it all back. Rory is just wonderful.” - James Goss

16. “Well, what do you want me to say?' The Doctor was so angry he was almost hovering. 'Well done on marrying the only male nurse not to have a full set of Barbara Streisand records? Why did you pick him, anyway? Were there no flight attendants in your village?''Only Jeff,' [Amy replied].'Ah.'...'I picked Rory, always Rory, because he is just like you,' I [Amy] yelled at him. 'He is sweet and understanding and funny and he always tries to do the right thing. Plus you both run the same way.''We do not.''Do so.” - James Goss

17. “Don't get me started on the whole Doctor-Amy-Rory thing. It's kind of like... I dunno. Suppose you'd always fancied Ryan Reynolds. That's fine, yeah. You meet someone else, who is maybe not Ryan Reynolds, but perhaps he's got the same goofy smile. And you think, 'Yeah, that's it, I'm happy.' Then Ryan Reynolds himself roars up in a camper van and says 'Hey guys! Let's all go on a road trip. Bring the boyfriend! It'll be fun.' Only Ryan Reynolds doesn't save the universe. Well, not at weekends.So I guess that's my life. Crammed in a camper van, sneaking the odd glance at Ryan, squeezing the hand of my lovely husband...” - James Goss

18. “I've lost the TARDIS as well.'I [Amy] was outraged. Considering my husband was dying and we were stranded in the past, the Doctor seemed fairly calm about things. 'Someone's nicked it!''Not so much, no.' The Doctor looked awkward. 'There's a mechanism... thingy. If the TARDIS senses a threat it removes itself from the scene. First sign of danger, it goes and hides behind the curtains.''Whose genius idea was that?'The Doctor swallowed, embarrassed. He claims to be the last of the most advanced race in the universe. Sometimes, I'm just not convinced.” - James Goss

19. “So... Boris. Are you evil?' [said the Doctor].'Not at all, my dear sir,' chuckled Boris.'You just chuckled,' groaned the Doctor. 'Chuckling's a dead givaway in my books. Along with putting your hands on your hips and snogging another man's wife.” - James Goss

20. “Now here's Amy Pond, standing in the freezing ocean, holding the body of her imaginary friend, and shouting at the sea to make him better.Yeah. If only my therapists could see me now.” - James Goss

21. “Rose: Look at you, beaming away like you're Father Christmas!The Doctor: Who says I'm not, red-bicycle-when-you-were-twelve?Rose: [shocked] What?The Doctor: And everybody lives, Rose! Everybody lives! I need more days like this! Go on, ask me anything; I'm on fire!” - Steven Moffat

22. “Rose: My mum's here.The Doctor: Oh, that's just what I need! Don't you dare make this place domestic!Mickey Smith: You ruined my life, Doctor. [the Doctor turns and looks at him, irritated] They thought she was dead, I was a murder suspect because of you!The Doctor: [looks at Rose] See what I mean? Domestic!Mickey: I bet you don't even remember my name!The Doctor: Ricky.Mickey: It's Mickey!The Doctor: No, it's Ricky.Mickey: I think I know my own name!The Doctor: You think you know your own name? How stupid are you?” - Russell T. Davies

23. “Rose: Who are you then? Who's that lot down there? [The Doctor ignores her] I said who are they?!The Doctor: They're made of plastic. Living plastic creatures. They're being controlled by a relay device on the roof. Which would be a great big problem if- [he pulls a bleeping bomb out of his coat] -I didn't have this. So I'm gonna go upstairs and blow it up. And I might well die in the process. But don't worry about me, no. You go home, go on! Go and have your lovely beans on toast. [suddenly serious] Don't tell anyone about this 'cos if you do, you'll get them killed. [closes the door] [opens it again] I'm The Doctor, by the way. What's your name?Rose: Rose.The Doctor: Nice to meet you, Rose. [holds up the bomb, shaking it slightly while grinning.] Run for your life!” - Russell T. Davies

24. “The Doctor: Hello, I've come to see the Lord Mayor.Idris Hopper: Have you got an appointment?The Doctor: No, just an old friend passing by, bit of a surprise. Can't wait to see her face!Idris Hopper: Well, she's just having a cup of tea.The Doctor: Just go in there and tell her "the Doctor" would like to see her.Idris Hopper: "The Doctor" who?The Doctor: Just "The Doctor". Tell her exactly that, "The Doctor".Idris Hopper: Hang on a tic.[Idris goes inside. There is the sound of a teacup smashing and Idris returns.]Idris Hopper: The Lord Mayor says "thank you f-for popping by." She'd love to have a chat, but, um, she's up to her eyes in paperwork. Perhaps you would like to make an appointment for next week...The Doctor: [happily] She's climbing out the window, isn't she?Idris Hopper: Yes, she is.” - Russell T. Davies

25. “Daleks: [simultaneously] Exterminate! Exterminate![They fire their weapons, none of which so much as touch the Doctor]The Doctor: Is that it? Useless! Nul points! [to Rose and Jack] It's all right, you can come out; that forcefield can hold back anything!Jack Harkness: Almost anything. [pause]The Doctor: Yes, but I wasn't going to tell them that. Thanks.” - Russell T. Davies

26. “Amy: I never knew you drank wine.Doctor: I'm 1103 I must have drunk it sometime in my life.*takes sip and spits it out in disgust*” - Steven Moffat

27. “If you are an alien, how come you sound like you're from the north?''Lots of planets have a north!” - Russell T. Davies

28. “The Doctor: 'You know when grown-ups tell you everything's going to be fine, but you really think they're lying to make you feel better?' Amelia: 'Yeah...'The Doctor: 'Everything's going to be fine.” - Steven Moffat

29. “The Doctor: This is bad, I don't like this. [kicks console and yells in pain] Never use force, you just embarrass yourself. Unless you're cross, in which case... always use force! Amy: Shall I run and get the manual? The Doctor: I threw it in a supernova. Amy: You threw the manual in a supernova? Why? The Doctor: Because I disagreed with it! Now stop talking to me when I'm cross!” - Steven Moffat

30. “There's something that doesn't make sense. Let's go and poke it with a stick.” - Steven Moffat

31. “The Doctor: Oh, now what's this, then? I love this. A big, flashy-lighty thing. That's what brought me here. Big, flashy-lighty things have got me written all over them. Not actually, but give me time... and a crayon.” - Steven Moffat

32. “People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but *actually* from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint - it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly... time-y wimey... stuff.” - Steven Moffat

33. “The Doctor is all of us, he lives and dies as all of us, and we need him to – because no matter the anvil-imagery of the Doctor as Christ, this is actually a far older and far simpler story than that. Everything changes. We all regenerate. I am not the same woman who first saw Rose ascend. Years go by and I become someone new, with the same memories but a new face, a new self.” - Catherine Valenti

34. “This was supposed to be yesterday. I was sitting on the Cardiff/London train, supposedly about to write this very column, and realising something quite terrible. My head was entirely empty. A vast echoing void. Bigger on the inside, but with nothing in it. You could drop a pebble in my brain and wait for an hour to hear it land. No actually, you couldn't - that would be aggressive and unhelpful, so keep your damn pebbles to yourself.” - Steven Moffat

35. “Though the man above might say hello, expect no love from the beast below” - Steven Moffat

36. “Brave hea-" The Doctor sighed. "Chin up.” - David A. McIntee

37. “Very efficient," a new voice said approvingly. He decided to take it as a sign of approval, anyway. The speaker was a European-looking youth with a slightly haughty air.” - David A. McIntee

38. “There's an emergency link to the defence grid, but that's only for use in the direst emergencies." "And of course a mile-long unknown intruder approaching your main source of power isn't an emergency?" Karan hesitated, his chins wobbling slightly with their own momentum. "It'll take time, but I could access the defence grid's sensor logs for that sector..." "I won't tell if you don't.” - David A. McIntee

39. “The Doctor was strapped to a wide table of some kind, and Turlough immediately started on the straps that held him. "We must stop meeting like this." "Very amusing," the Doctor replied with an irritated look. Sharma made quicker work of them with his issue knife."You're forgetting your manners." Turlough remembered their predicament. "Thank me later," he suggested, and turned to leave.” - David A. McIntee

40. “The bemused Brigadier shook his head. "You and that TARDIS.” - Peter Grimwade

41. “I'm hard to get rid of." He smiled. All Tegan's suspicions about the boy came flooding back. "So it seems," she replied icily.” - Peter Grimwade

42. “The Brigadier had no wish to shake hands with the improbable young man in the ridiculous frock-coat.” - Peter Grimwade

43. “The Doctor: Doctor Song, you've got that face on again.River: What face?The Doctor: The "He's hot when he's clever" face.River: This is my normal face.The Doctor: Yes it is.River: Oh, shut up.The Doctor: Not a chance.” - Steven Moffat

44. “Amy: I had something I wanted to tell him. Stuff always gets in the way.Canton: Stuff does that.” - Steven Moffat

45. “Third Doctor: A straight line may be the shortest distance between two points, but it is by no means the most interesting” - Robert Holmes

46. “Eighth Doctor: I love humans. Always seeing patterns in things that aren’t there.” - Matthew Jacobs

47. “LEELA: 'To be, or not to be, that is the question.' That is a very stupid question!THE DOCTOR: It's Shakespeare.LEELA: And that is a very stupid name. You do not shake a spear, you throw it! Throwspeare, now that is a name.” - John Dorney

48. “Amy: This time can we... lose the bunk beds? The Doctor: No Bunk beds are cool, a bed with a ladder, you can't beat that!” - Neil Gaiman

49. “Wilf: God bless the cactuses! The Doctor: That's cactI. Alien: And that's racist!” - Russell T. Davies

50. “The Doctor: You know how adults tell you everything's going to be fine, just to make you feel better? Amelia: Yes. Doctor: Well.....everything's going to be fine.” - Steven Moffat

51. “The Doctor: Don't blink. Don't even blink. Blink and you're dead. Don't turn your back. Don't look away. And don't blink.” - Steven Moffat

52. “We're all stories, in the end.” - Steven Moffat

53. “I'll be a story in your head. That's okay. We're all stories in the end. Just make it a good one, eh? 'Cause it was, you know. It was the best. The daft old man who stole a magic box and ran away. Did I ever tell you that I stole it? Well I borrowed it. I was always going to take it back.” - Steven Moffat

54. “You want weapons? We're in a library! Books! The best weapons in the world!” - Steven Moffat

55. “Melody Malone is the owner and sole employee of the Angel Detective Agency in Manhattan. She is possibly married but lives alone usually, and is older than both her parents. Sometimes. Why not visit her website? Ah – probably because the internet hasn’t been invented yet. Sorry, Sweetie.” - Melody Malone

56. “Let me through – I’m a doctor.’ My heart beat a little faster, and I lingered just long enough to be sure he’d used the indefinite article. But the man was short and bald and rather ugly – not at all like any Doctor I’d consult. I hope. If ‘consult’ is the right word.” - Melody Malone

57. “He seemed as oblivious to it as he probably was to the meaning of the word.” - Melody Malone

58. “It was the sort of day when deciding what to wear is like planning a military operation. Believe me – I have considerable experience of both.” - Melody Malone

59. “Rose Tyler: The time war ends. Emperor Dalek: I will not die! I cannot diieee! [we see Rose's eyes light up, and the Dalek Emperor and his entire fleet disappear in an explosion of golden dust] The Doctor: Rose, you've done it, now stop. [Rose stares straight ahead] The Doctor: Just let go. Rose Tyler: How can I let go of this? I bring life. [we see Jack start breathing again and open his eyes] The Doctor: But this is wrong! You can't control life and death! Rose Tyler: But I can. The sun and the moon, the day and night... but why do they hurt? [she is crying] The Doctor: The power's gonna kill you and it's my fault! Rose Tyler: I can see everything... all that is... all that was... all that ever could be. The Doctor: [stands up] But that's what *I* see. All the time. And doesn't it drive you mad? Rose Tyler: [Rose nods, barely able to speak] My head... The Doctor: Come here. Rose Tyler: ...is killing me. The Doctor: I think you need a Doctor. [He leans down and kisses her, and the golden light transfers from her to him through their lips]” - Russell T. Davies

60. “Lilith: Oh, but your heart grows cold. A north wind blows and carries down the distant... Rose? The Doctor: Oooh, big mistake! Because that name keeps me fighting!” - Gareth Roberts

61. “The Doctor: [hologram, speaking towards the console] This is Emergency Programme One. Rose, now listen, this is important. If this message is activated, then it can only mean one thing: we must be in danger, and I mean fatal. I'm dead, or about to die any second with no chance of escape. Rose Tyler: No! The Doctor: And that's OK, I hope it's a good death. But I promised to look after you, and that's what I'm doin'. The TARDIS is takin' you home. Rose Tyler: I won't let you. The Doctor: And I bet you're fussing and moaning now, typical. But hold on, and just listen a bit more. The TARDIS can never return for me. Emergency Programme One means I'm facing an enemy that should never get their hooves on this machine. So this is what you should do: let the TARDIS die. Just let this old box gather dust. No one can open it, no one will even notice it. Let it become a strange little thing standing on a street corner. And over the years, the world will move on, and the box will be buried. And if you wanna remember me, then you can do one thing. That's all, one thing. The Doctor: [hologram turns to face Rose, and with a full voice] Have a good life. Do that for me, Rose. Have a fantastic life.” - Russell T. Davies

62. “This,’ whispered the Doctor to Romana, ‘is going to be like trying to find a book about needles in a room full of books about haystacks.” - Gareth Roberts

63. “So we're getting close to suggesting that camp is both the opposite of cool and a refinement of it. Camp and cool both have an element of not-caring, of disdain for the ordinary. The difference is that cool implies a lack of conscious effort, whereas camp is about putting everything you've got into it. Either you love something too much (much more than it's "worth", so the stereotypical anorak-wearing Doctor Who fan and the Barry Manilow cultist are both manifestations of this, at least to the outside world), or you're given to going over the top. Or you do both at once, in many cases. Both phenomena are examples of people fashioning an identity for themselves, and if you're reading this book then you must know people like that. Cool is not caring, camp is actively defiant.” - Tat Wood

64. “What Rose brings to the Doctor’s life is completion. It’s completing a circle – he’s male, he’s alien, he’s a traveler. Between the two of them together they complement each other and discover each other. And are in love with each other – absolutely, unashamedly, unreservedly.” - Russell T. Davies

65. “The guards had asked the Doctor to please wait in the hallway until Mr McCavity had time to see him. So it seemed only polite, the Doctor thought, to wait until they had gone before he wandered off to explore the house.” - Justin Richards

66. “If it’s time to go, remember what you’re leaving. Remember the best.” - Steven Moffat

67. “Leela: Why are we listening to them? It is a waste of time.The Doctor; It is difficult to know what will be a waste of time until after the time has been wasted, by which time it is too late. So predicting what will be a waste of time is something of a waste of time. Unless it gives you pleasure of course when it probably doesn't count as a waste of time.Leela (yawning): I am sorry I did not hear what you said, Doctor.The Doctor (smiling): That was a waste of time then.” - Chris Boucher

68. “Gonna have to give myself a mental enema when we get back to the TARDIS.” - Mike Tucker

69. “Don't play games with me! You just killed someone I like, that is not a safe place to stand! I'm the Doctor, and you're in the biggest library in the Universe. Look me up.” - Steven Moffat

70. “The Doctor: I just don’t like nastiness, and people getting away with it.Churchwell: That sounds a rather, if you forgive me, innocent view.The Doctor: That’s as may be, but I’m sticking to it.” - Paul Magrs

71. “I don't know. I can't tell the future I just work there.” - Steven Moffat

72. “Because this exact leaf had to grow in that exact way, in that exact place, so that precise wind could tear it from that precise branch and make it fly into this exact face at that exact moment. And, if just one of those tiny little things had never had happened, I'd never have met ya. Which makes this leaf the most important leaf in human history” - Neil Cross

73. “I am, and always will be, the optimist. The hoper of far-flung hopes, and the dreamer of improbable dreams.” - Eleventh Doctor

74. “The clever people at CERN are smashing particles together in the hope that Doctor Who will turn up and tell them to stop” - Ben Aaronovitch

75. “Magic?' Kate snorted. 'There's no such thing. Is there?''Magic?' Barnabas shrugged. 'Why not? Magic is cool.''But there has to be a rational explanation.''Oh there is,' Barnabas led her our of the cave and back to the shore. 'But a rational explanation is rather complex. We're dealing with a psycho-temporal entity manifesting through a critical mass of its sentient shell...um. Magic sounds more fun.” - Amelia Williams