The Departed is a crime thriller that digs through themes of loyalty, betrayal, and ethical ambiguity.
The quotes from this movie are sharp, intense, and filled with deep reflections on trust, crime, and the effects of living in a world driven by deception.
These unforgettable lines capture the tension and complexity of characters trapped between two worlds—law enforcement and organized crime—where the lines between right and wrong are frequently blurred.
Top The Departed Quotes
The gritty world of The Departed is filled with sharp, impactful dialogue that reveals the complexities of loyalty, identity, and survival in a dangerous environment. These quotes capture the essence of its raw power and intensity.
“I don’t want to be a product of my environment. I want my environment to be a product of me.” – Frank Costello
“When you’re facing a loaded gun, what’s the difference?” – Frank Costello
“I’m the guy who does his job. You must be the other guy.” – Dignam
“No one gives it to you. You have to take it.” – Frank Costello
“I’m not a cop anymore.” – Billy Costigan
“Do you want to be a cop, or do you want to appear to be a cop?” – Oliver Queenan
“We deal in deception here. What we do not deal with is self-deception.” – Oliver Queenan
“You don’t know what you need. You know what you want.” – Madolyn Madden
“I don’t want to be you.” – Billy Costigan
“Heavy lies the crown.” – Colin Sullivan
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The Departed Quotes on Loyalty and Betrayal
Loyalty and betrayal form the backbone of The Departed, as characters navigate a world where trust is scarce, and betrayal is often inevitable. These quotes reflect the emotional toll of those who struggle with divided allegiances.
“You’re a cop or you’re a criminal. When you’re facing a loaded gun, what’s the difference?” – Frank Costello
“I gave you the wrong address, but you showed up anyway.” – Billy Costigan
“You can’t be half a gangster.” – Frank Costello
“I knew I was never gonna earn the big money. I knew it.” – Billy Costigan
“In the end, we betray everyone. We betray ourselves.” – Colin Sullivan
“I’m trusting you. Now don’t make me regret it.” – Oliver Queenan
“You don’t owe anyone anything. Least of all me.” – Madolyn Madden
“I can’t tell you there’s light at the end of the tunnel. But now, there’s a tunnel.” – Dignam
“There’s always someone left to betray.” – Frank Costello
“It’s not what you are underneath, it’s what you do that defines you.” – Colin Sullivan
The Departed Quotes on Morality and Corruption
In The Departed, morality is often blurred as characters grapple with their own ethical dilemmas, surrounded by an environment of corruption. These quotes delve into the internal conflict between right and wrong, where survival sometimes overshadows integrity.
“I don’t want to be a product of my environment. I want my environment to be a product of me.” – Frank Costello
“What’s the difference between a cop and a crook? The badge.” – Billy Costigan
“You’re nobody until somebody kills you.” – Frank Costello
“We deal in deception here. What we do not deal with is self-deception.” – Oliver Queenan
“Cops or criminals. When you’re facing a loaded gun, what’s the difference?” – Frank Costello
“You make one wrong move and I’ll make sure you regret it.” – Colin Sullivan
“I’ve got this rat, this gnawing, teething rat.” – Colin Sullivan
“I’m Irish. I’ll deal with something being wrong for the rest of my life.” – Billy Costigan
“There’s only one thing to do with a man like me: Send me to hell or send me to heaven, but don’t leave me in between.” – Frank Costello
“The only thing worse than a cop is a corrupt cop.” – Billy Costigan
The Departed Quotes on Trust and Deception
Trust and deception are central themes in The Departed, where characters constantly manipulate and betray each other. These quotes explore the fragility of trust and the consequences of deceit in a world where loyalty is a luxury few can afford.
“You don’t trust me? Fine. But I trust you.” – Frank Costello
“I’m not asking you to trust me. I’m asking you to listen to your instincts.” – Oliver Queenan
“We deal in deception, but never self-deception.” – Oliver Queenan
“You think you’re the only one doing your job, Costigan? You’re a pawn, just like everyone else.” – Colin Sullivan
“I trust nobody in this business. That’s how you survive.” – Billy Costigan
“Deception is a game we all play, but the stakes are your life.” – Frank Costello
“Trust? What’s trust got to do with anything? You trust someone, you get killed.” – Colin Sullivan
“You lied to me every time you opened your mouth.” – Madolyn Madden
“The moment you trust someone, you give them the power to destroy you.” – Frank Costello
“Everyone’s got a mask on. The trick is figuring out who’s behind it.” – Dignam
The Departed Quotes on Power and Control
In The Departed, the desire for power and control dominates the motivations of many characters. These quotes illustrate how power is both coveted and wielded, often blurring the line between right and wrong.
“You want to be a cop, or do you want to appear to be a cop?” – Frank Costello
“I don’t have to be an honest man. I’m powerful enough to make the rules.” – Frank Costello
“When you’re facing a loaded gun, what’s the difference?” – Frank Costello
“Control the situation, and you control the outcome.” – Colin Sullivan
“The strong take what they want, and the weak endure what they must.” – Frank Costello
“You don’t make the decisions; you just carry out orders.” – Billy Costigan
“Power doesn’t corrupt people; people corrupt power.” – Frank Costello
“To control a man, you must first control his mind.” – Frank Costello
“It’s not enough to have power; you need to know when to use it.” – Colin Sullivan
“You can’t serve two masters. You either work for me, or you’re against me.” – Frank Costello
The Departed Quotes on Identity and Duality
Identity and duality are central themes in The Departed, where characters live double lives, torn between who they are and who they pretend to be. These quotes reflect the internal struggle of maintaining a facade while grappling with personal truths.
“I’m the guy who does his job. You must be the other guy.” – Dignam
“You’re not just a cop, you’re a man in two worlds, and they’re both killing you.” – Madolyn Madden
“You know who I am. I’m the guy who’s got nothing to lose.” – Billy Costigan
“How’s your mother? She’s on her way out. We all are. Act accordingly.” – Frank Costello
“Who you pretend to be is just as important as who you are.” – Frank Costello
“I don’t want to be a product of my environment. I want my environment to be a product of me.” – Frank Costello
“You’ve got two faces, kid. The only question is, which one is the real you?” – Frank Costello
“To be a good cop, you’ve got to play a good criminal.” – Billy Costigan
“How can you trust anyone when you can’t even trust yourself?” – Colin Sullivan
“You think it’s easy to live two lives? You never know who you really are anymore.” – Billy Costigan
The Departed Quotes on Crime and Justice
In The Departed, the line between crime and justice is constantly blurred, where both the criminals and the lawmen play by their own set of rules. These quotes reflect the complexity of morality and justice in a corrupt world.
“Cops or criminals? When you’re facing a loaded gun, what’s the difference?” – Frank Costello
“We deal in deception here. What we do not deal with is self-deception.” – Captain Queenan
“I don’t want to be a product of my environment. I want my environment to be a product of me.” – Frank Costello
“You signed up to be a cop. You signed up to watch your back for the rest of your life.” – Dignam
“Your job is to arrest criminals, not to be one.” – Billy Costigan
“Cops get the criminals, but sometimes the criminals get the cops.” – Colin Sullivan
“There’s a rat in every operation. It’s just a matter of who finds him first.” – Frank Costello
“You’re not a cop anymore. You’re a criminal with a badge.” – Dignam
“What good is being a cop if you can’t protect the people you’re supposed to?” – Billy Costigan
“Justice doesn’t come easy when everyone’s playing both sides.” – Frank Costello
The Departed Quotes on Fear and Survival
Fear drives many of the characters in The Departed to desperate measures, where survival often depends on how well one can navigate danger and deception. These quotes capture the tension between fear and survival.
“No one gives it to you. You have to take it.” – Frank Costello
“The only one who can kill you is the one you let live long enough to do it.” – Frank Costello
“I’m not gonna make it. Not without you. That’s the whole point.” – Billy Costigan
“When you’re staring death in the face, survival is all that matters.” – Colin Sullivan
“The first time I met you, I knew you were a survivor. That’s why you’re still here.” – Frank Costello
“You think they’re gonna protect you? The moment you slip, you’re gone.” – Dignam
“Fear is the enemy. The moment you let it control you, you’re already dead.” – Frank Costello
“Survival’s a dirty game, but everyone plays.” – Colin Sullivan
“You’ve got to live every day like it’s your last, because one day, it will be.” – Billy Costigan
“The only thing more dangerous than fear is the belief that you have none.” – Frank Costello
The Departed Quotes on Manipulation and Strategy
In The Departed, manipulation is a key theme as characters outwit each other to stay ahead in a world full of deceit. These quotes reveal the strategic thinking and cunning that drive both the police and criminals in the story.
“I don’t want to be a product of my environment. I want my environment to be a product of me.” – Frank Costello
“When you decide to be something, you can be it. That’s what they don’t tell you in the church.” – Frank Costello
“You sit there with a mass murderer. Your heart rate is jacked. Your hand, steady.” – Dignam
“We deal in deception here. What we do not deal with is self-deception.” – Captain Queenan
“You don’t know what you need to be until you know what you are.” – Colin Sullivan
“Act like you’re something you’re not, and they’ll believe it.” – Frank Costello
“The key to this business is keeping your enemies as close as your friends.” – Frank Costello
“You think you can outsmart me? You can’t even outsmart yourself.” – Billy Costigan
“The best strategy is never letting them know your true intentions.” – Colin Sullivan
“In this game, trust is a commodity, and manipulation is the currency.” – Frank Costello
The Departed Quotes on Life and Death
The Departed is a film where life and death are constant companions. Characters face death as an inevitable consequence of their choices, and these quotes reflect the fragile boundary between living and dying in a dangerous world.
“We’re all dying. Act accordingly.” – Frank Costello
“I don’t need to make any decisions, my body’s already made the choice for me.” – Billy Costigan
“The only one who can kill you is the one you let live long enough to do it.” – Frank Costello
“Life’s all about who dies first, and I intend to be last.” – Frank Costello
“You know who’s gonna win? The guy who’s ready to die.” – Colin Sullivan
“The world belongs to those who embrace death, not those who fear it.” – Frank Costello
“Every day above ground is a good day.” – Billy Costigan
“It’s not the years in your life, it’s the life in your years.” – Frank Costello
“Death is inevitable. It’s how you live that defines you.” – Captain Queenan
“The end comes for all of us. The question is, what do you leave behind?” – Frank Costello
The Departed Quotes on Authority and Rebellion
In The Departed, authority is constantly questioned, and rebellion is a way of life for those navigating the line between law and crime. These quotes reflect the tension between power and resistance, as characters challenge the rules that govern them.
“When you’re facing a loaded gun, what’s the difference?” – Frank Costello
“You’re a cop or you’re not. Don’t be proud of being a half-ass.” – Dignam
“You want to be a cop or do you want to appear to be a cop?” – Captain Queenan
“The truth is, I don’t give a fuck about your authority.” – Billy Costigan
“There are guys you can hit, and there are guys you can’t. Now, I’m not saying you can’t hit me, but you can’t hit me.” – Frank Costello
“You’re no fuckin’ cop.” – Frank Costello
“You signed up to see action, right? You wanted to make a difference, right? Well, you’re in the middle of it.” – Dignam
“Do you know what we do here? We catch guys and let them go.” – Colin Sullivan
“I’ll hand you the world on a plate, but only if you’re ready to take it.” – Frank Costello
“It’s the people who have something to lose who are the most dangerous.” – Billy Costigan
The Departed Quotes on Consequences and Redemption
In The Departed, every choice has consequences, and characters are haunted by the weight of their actions. These quotes delve into themes of consequence and the elusive hope for redemption, where no one escapes unscathed.
“You’re not gonna make it. You’ve been playing both sides your whole life.” – Frank Costello
“The problem with people like you is you always think there’s a way out.” – Billy Costigan
“There’s no one more full of shit than a cop who thinks he’s right.” – Colin Sullivan
“I can’t be someone else. Not anymore.” – Billy Costigan
“No one gives it to you. You have to take it.” – Frank Costello
“You don’t come back from the choices you’ve made.” – Colin Sullivan
“We deal in deception here. But the truth finds its way out.” – Captain Queenan
“You think you can outrun what you are, but you can’t.” – Billy Costigan
“You think they can save you? They’re just like you.” – Frank Costello
“The only way to survive is to admit what you are.” – Dignam
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Final Thoughts
Quotes from The Departed are strong reminders of the heavy toll that loyalty, betrayal, and survival take on people.
Through its fascinating dialogue, the movie exposes the delicate nature of trust and the high stakes of living in a world defined by ethical compromise.
These quotes leave an impression, reflecting the brutal realities of crime, power, and the quest for redemption