25 Colorful Quotes from Steel Magnolias
Southern Living May 2021 Cover
STEEL MAGNOLIAS, Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, 1989
Credit: Everett Collection
Steel Magnolias is filled with many things: friendship, love, and laughter. Something else it isn't short on? Quotable moments. We've gathered 25 of our favorite quotes from the film that brought the South its (unofficial) signature color. It has been over 30 years since the movie premiered and it still has a major impact with fans. Thanks to M'Lynn, Truvy, Shelby, Ouiser, Clairee, and Annelle we will always have great one-liners.
"If he's trying to drive me crazy it's too late."
M'Lynn Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—M'Lynn
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"I find it amusing. Men are supposed to be made out of steel or something."
M'Lynn Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—M'Lynn
2 of 26
"I can usually spot a bottle job at 20 paces."
Truvy Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Truvy
3 of 26
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"It takes some effort to look like this."
Truvy Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Truvy
4 of 26
"I don't trust anybody that does their own hair. I don't think it's normal."
Truvy Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Truvy
5 of 26
"I haven't left the house without lycra on these thighs since I was 14."
Truvy Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Truvy
6 of 26
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"The nicest thing I can say about her is all her tattoos are spelled correctly."
Truvy Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Truvy
7 of 26
"Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize it's marchin' across your face."
Truvy Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Truvy
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"Smile—it increases your face value."
Truvy Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Truvy
9 of 26
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"I have a strict policy that nobody cries alone in my presence."
Truvy Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Truvy
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"Ugh. Leave me alone."
Ouiser Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Ouiser
11 of 26
"Don't try to get on my good side...I no longer have one."
Ouiser Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Ouiser
12 of 26
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"I'm not crazy...I've just been in a very bad mood for 40 years."
Ouiser Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Ouiser
13 of 26
"There, my secret is out. I am having an affair with a Mercedes Benz."
Ouiser Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Ouiser
14 of 26
Colorful Quotes From Steel Magnolias
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"You can't screw up her hair. You just tease it and make it look like a brown football helmet."
Shelby Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Shelby
16 of 26
"I just like the idea of growing old with somebody."
Shelby Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Shelby
17 of 26
"I would rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special."
Shelby Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Shelby
18 of 26
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"I really do love football, but it is hard to parlay that into a reason to live."
Clairee Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Clairee
19 of 26
"I'm just too colorful for words."
Clairee Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Clairee
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"The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize."
Clairee Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Clairee
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"If you can't say anything nice about anybody, come sit by me."
Clairee Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Clairee
22 of 26
"You know I love you more than my luggage."
Clairee Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Clairee
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"You have the handwriting of a serial killer."
Clairee Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Clairee
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"It's in the 'freezes beautifully' section of my cookbook."
Annelle Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Annelle
25 of 26
"I didn't know if you would hire someone who may or may not be married to someone who might be a dangerous criminal."
Annelle Quote
Credit: Graphic by Betsy Lovell
—Annalle