Summary

  • Sheldon Cooper's unique personality and intelligent quotes made him an instant pop culture icon and one of the most popular sitcom characters of the 21st century.
  • Some of the best Sheldon Cooper quotes highlight his intelligence, wit, and antisocial behavior, making him both endearing and hilarious.
  • Sheldon's catchphrase, "Bazinga!", became a trademark of his character and was even carried over to the spinoff series Young Sheldon.

As the breakout character of The Big Bang Theory, there are plenty of Sheldon Cooper quotes that highlight his uniqueness and his humor. For 12 seasons, Jim Parsons starred in CBS's beloved sitcom as Dr. Sheldon Cooper, a genius and incredibly eccentric theoretical physicist. Parsons' work as the neurotic physicist earned him four Emmy Awards and even more award nominations, stealing the show from the other memorable characters. Sheldon's peculiar routines, obsessive interests in all things science and fiction, and often hilariously intelligent quotes are perfectly woven together to create a character who became an instant pop culture icon.

Sheldon Cooper was so popular that he spawned his own spinoff series, Young Sheldon, which chronicles his experiences as a child prodigy. The best Sheldon Cooper quotes are some of the most famous lines from The Big Bang Theory, and some of the funniest ones as well. These quotes highlight his incredible intelligence and impressive wit as well as his personality shortcomings, like his antisocial behavior and biting insults which made him one of the most popular sitcom characters of the 21st century.

The Big Bang Theory is available to stream on Max.

20 "That's My Spot."

Season 3, Episode 16, "The Excelsior Acquisition"

Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory season 6

Sheldon was a man of particular tastes and expected everyone else in the world to abide by his personal choices. This was most often seen in Leonard and Sheldon's apartment, where there was a particular spot that he chose as his own and refused to sit anywhere else. "Sheldon's spot" was a running gag throughout The Big Bang Theory, with "that's my spot" being one of the must recognizable Sheldon Cooper quotes.

However, it turned out that this would extend to the outside world as well. After insulting a judge while in court, Sheldon was sent to jail. Though this was a place where he should have immediately been intimidated, Sheldon didn't waste time turning to one of his cellmates and informing this man that he was in Sheldon's spot.

19 "For The Record, It Could Kill Us To Meet New People."

Season 2, Episode 4, "The Griffin Equivalency"

Sheldon wearing a cowboy hat with Leonard in The Big Bang Theory

The main gang in The Big Bang Theory were incredibly smart but also quite nerdy, which made them somewhat outcasts in typical social settings. However, while the others were often ashamed of this, Sheldon was more endearing for embracing his antisocial ways and defending why he didn't seem to like spending time with people. When Leonard suggested that they should make more of an effort to meet people because it wouldn't kill them, Sheldon disagreed, providing murderers and diseases as reasons why they might indeed die.

18 "Nothing I Just Really Didn't Want To Come."

Season 1, Episode 8, "The Grasshopper Experiment"

Sheldon and Leonard at the Cheesecake Factory on TBBT

Not only was Sheldon unwilling to put in an effort to make new friends, but he also didn't feel the need to make an effort with the friends that he already had. When they all decided to go to the bar that Penny works at, Sheldon arrived late and apologized for his tardiness. When Leonard asked what delayed him, Sheldon quickly admitted he just didn't want to come. Though it makes everyone else uncomfortable at times, there is something refreshing about how honest Sheldon is willing to be.

17 "While I Subscribe To The Many Worlds Theory, Which Posits The Existence Of An Infinite Number Of Sheldons... I Assure You That In None Of Them Am I Dancing."

Season 3, Episode 3, "The Gothowitz Deviation"

A split image of Penny asking Sheldon to dance on TBBT

An unmistakable highlight of The Big Bang Theory's earlier seasons and a dynamic that spawned the best Sheldon Cooper quotes was the back-and-forth rapport between Sheldon and Penny. Season 3, episode 3 opens with Sheldon waking up in the morning to find a barely dressed Penny making pancakes and dancing around the kitchen to Shania Twain's "Man, I Feel Like A Woman." Penny is always pushing Sheldon out of his comfort zone while Sheldon often responds with a very self-aware view of himself and what he will put up with. Clearly, dancing is not one of those things he'll tolerate.

16 “Good Morning, Everyone, And Welcome To 'Science and Society.' I'm Dr. Sheldon Cooper, BS, MS, MA, Ph.D., And ScD. OMG, Right?"

Season 4, Episode 13, "The Love Car Displacement"

Sheldon and co at a science conference on TBBT

One of Sheldon's best episodes was "The Love Car Displacement," where the gang split into two cars and hit the road for a science conference. At the conference, Sheldon introduced himself to the crowd with this hilarious opening line, which is a rare sign of his playful side. His usage of "OMG" is particularly surprising since he wasn't always up to date on current trends, but his excited nature is certainly tied to his ego and willingness to flaunt his impressive titles to an audience.

15 “So, Just To Clarify, When You Say Three, Do We Stand Up Or Do We Pee?"

Season 3, Episode 17, "The Precious Fragmentation"

'The Precious Fragmentation' Sheldon dressed in Lord of the Rings costume on TBBT

When the gang believed they had one of the lost rings from the making of The Lord of the Rings, they decided to make a wager: whoever stopped touching the ring last would get to keep it. While holding on to the ring as a unit, it was agreed upon that they all had to go to the restroom and would go after counting to three. While Sheldon is certainly the smartest of the group, he had to clarify the wording of the agreement, suggesting he was willing to pee his pants if necessary. It is a clear sign that the extent of his fandom is unrelenting.

14 "I'm Sorry, Coffee's Out Of The Question. When I Moved To California I Promised My Mother That I Wouldn't Start Doing Drugs."

Season 2, Episode 18, "The Work Song Nanocluster"

Sheldon and Penny on the couch talking about coffee on TBBT

Although Sheldon knew how to serve hot beverages and make guests feel at home in his apartment, he didn't always drink them himself. On numerous occasions, Sheldon was offered coffee, and he continuously turned it down. It came to be that Sheldon viewed caffeine as a drug, and he promised his mother he'd never get into drugs when he moved to California. It is fun seeing the comparison between Sheldon in The Bing Bang Theory and Young Sheldon and seeing that, even as a much older adult, he maintained a lot of that boyish innocence.

13 “Yes! She's Like The Dryer Sheets Of My Heart!”

Season 9, Episode 10, "The Earworm Reverberation"

When Amy broke up with Sheldon because she was frustrated with the way their relationship was turning out, it took Sheldon far longer than he expected to feel whole again. However, the nearly-season-long arc was wholly necessary for his character and resulted in one of the best Sheldon Cooper quotes. In season 9, episode 10, Sheldon realized a song stuck in his head reminded him of Amy and that he wanted to get back together. Sheldon had never been good at expressing his feelings, which made this odd declaration of love so sweet while still fitting his character.

12 "You Have As Much Of A Chance Of Having A Sexual Relationship With Penny As The Hubble Telescope Does..."

Season 1, Episode 3, "The Fuzzy Boots Corollary"

Sheldon talks to Leonard about his bond with Penny on TBBT

From the very beginning of The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon was a big naysayer of the prospect of a relationship between Penny and Leonard, helping to establish that they would become the series' central will-they-or-won't-they relationship. Leonard's infatuation didn't stop Sheldon from offering his honest thoughts about the possibility of their eventual coupling. The scathing remarks were paired with wonderfully nerdy scientific jokes, such as this amazing one about the Hubble Telescope and black holes. It was almost as if Sheldon saw the prospect of Leonard and Penny together as a fascinating improbable scenario of the universe.

11 "The Statement Stands For Itself."

Season 2, Episode 9, The White Asparagus Triangulation

Despite the fact that Penny became one of Sheldon's best and most important friends, he was never afraid to be brutally blunt with her. When Leonard was dating a new woman, Sheldon suggested this latest partner was the only one of Leonard's romantic partners that he found tolerable. When Penny pointed out that she used to date Leonard as well, Sheldon didn't feel the need to change his statement. Such moments made Penny more endearing for putting up with Sheldon's cruel comments, while it also emphasized how essential Jim Parson's performance was to make Sheldon likable even at such times.

10 “You Catch Even More With Manure, What's Your Point?"

Season 3, Episode 3, "The Gothowitz Deviation"

Sheldon feeds Penny a piece of chocolate as a part of behavioral conditioning on The Big Bang Theory

When Penny and Leonard first started dating, Sheldon had to get used to having Penny around more often. He wasn't sure if he could handle Penny's social nature, but Leonard reminded him that he would "catch more flies with honey than with vinegar" — meaning he would get better results from her if he treated her kindly. Although Sheldon was brilliant, he didn't always understand small talk or clichés, a hallmark of his characterization. However, it is also admirable that he is able to view a well-known phrase like this and point out the error of it.

9 "I Found The Grinch To Be A Relatable, Engaging Character, And I Was Really With Him..."

Season 3, Episode 11, "The Maternal Congruence"

An early episode of The Big Bang Theory found Sheldon decrying the social protocol of buying Christmas presents for other people and discussing the history of the celebration known as Saturnalia. Sheldon even went as far as to saying he considered the Grinch to be a truly relatable, even inspirational character. Leonard went on to mention that whenever the group watched Frosty the Snowman Sheldon would root for the sun. While he might have made his friends' Christmas season a little less fun, seeing Sheldon embrace the villains of Christmas stories without irony or shame is hilarious.

8 "Hard As This May Be To Believe, It’s Possible That I’m Not Boyfriend Material."

Season 5, Episode 12, "The Shiny Trinket Maneuver"

Sheldon and Penny go jewelry shopping on TBBT

One of the main storylines that The Big Bang Theory has chronicled has been Sheldon's slow transformation from a romantically disinclined individual to a boyfriend, fiancé, and eventual husband to Amy Farrah Fowler. Early in their relationship, Sheldon struggled greatly with knowing how to appear invested in Amy's life, especially her line of work, which he always felt was inferior to his own. In season 5, he and Amy got into an argument about his rude behavior, and his remark to Leonard about his shocking lack of boyfriend appeal is one of the best Sheldon Cooper quotes.

7 "The Only Conclusion Was Love."

Season 8, Episode 8, "The Prom Equivalency"

Sheldon and Amy talking in The Big Bang Theory.

Despite the fact that he didn't always say the right thing as a boyfriend, Sheldon and Amy's relationship was one of the most charming aspects of the sitcom. Sheldon's growth with Amy allowed him to be in touch with his emotions in ways he had never before, leading to the moment he admitted that he loved her. It is a sweet moment that still stays true to Sheldon's character. He assessed the feelings he had about her, tried to determine if there was another cause like a brain parasite, and ultimately came to the only logical explanation. For Sheldon, that is as romantic a gesture as there can be.

6 "Scissors Cuts Paper. Paper Covers Rock. Rock Crushes Lizard."

Season 2, Episode 8, "The Lizard-Spock Expansion"

Sheldon's love of all things Spock has made for some hilarious quotes, but none more so than his version of "Rock, Paper, Scissors". Season 2's "The Lizard-Spock Expansion" gave one of the most bizarre Sheldon Cooper quotes that earned its own place in pop culture. The episode introduced viewers to the game known as Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock — the gang's apparent method of choice when they had decisions to make.

An expansion perfectly incorporated aspects of science fiction that appealed to the primary gang of friends. No character could ever explain things as hilariously, or as succinctly, as Sheldon did. While he is one of the most brilliant minds in the world, Sheldon also enjoyed dedicating his immense brain power to such ridiculous things as this.

5 "I Graduated College At 14. While My Brother Was Getting An STD, I Was Getting A Ph.D. Penicillin Can't Take This Away."

Season 8, Episode 17, "The Colonization Application"

George hugs his brother Sheldon on TBBT

Long before Young Sheldon existed to introduce viewers to the hilarious and heartwarming dynamics of the Cooper family, The Big Bang Theory still managed to occasionally drop hints along the way as to the nature of Sheldon's family. One such moment came in season 8 when Sheldon was applying to be chosen to travel to Mars. During his video application, Sheldon immediately got way too personal about himself, lauding his successes as he always does — while also shedding light on some unnecessary details about his brother's adolescence. Sheldon was a good friend, but he wasn't always the best brother and was often disparaging of his family.

4 "Robert Oppenheimer Was Lonely."

Season 4, Episode 3, "The Zazzy Substitution"

Sheldon and his cats on The Big Bang Theory

After temporarily breaking things off with Amy, Sheldon decided he needed to get not one, not two, but six cats — almost all named after scientists who took part in the Manhattan Project. Even with the names being nods to the science world, it is hilarious to see the often-robotic Sheldon become caring and affection when in the presence of the cats. It is not a part of his personality that he often lets shine through. Luckily, he was able to come to his senses and get rid of Oppenheimer and the rest of the litter.

3 "I'm Not Crazy. My Mother Had Me Tested."

Season 3, Episode 13, "The Bozeman Reaction"

Sheldon sitting with his mom on the Big Bang Theory

Given his eccentric behavior, it was not uncommon for others to assume Sheldon was crazy, but he was always quick to correct them. After their apartment is robbed, he suggests it could've been an inside job. The police officer on the scene offered to put him in a psychiatric hold, and his rebuttal was this iconic line. As he once famously stated, "I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested." Giving more context on Mary Cooper and the kind of mother she was in Young Sheldon makes the quote even funnier.

2 "That’s No Reason To Cry. One Cries Because One Is Sad. For Example, I Cry Because Others Are Stupid And It Makes Me Sad."

Season 3, Episode 10, "The Gorilla Experiment"

A split image of Penny crying to Sheldon on TBBT

Sheldon has never been anything other than unflinchingly confident in his intellect, especially when compared to almost anyone else. He not only brags about his own brilliant mind, but puts down the rest of the world for not living up to him. When Penny started crying because she felt stupid since Sheldon's physics lessons weren't sticking with her, Sheldon was incredulous and just made the matter worse. What makes this Sheldon Cooper quote especially hilarious is the idea that Penny not being as smart as him is more justification for his own despair than it is hers.

1 "Bazinga!"

Season 2, Episode 23, "The Monopolar Expedition"

Like many other iconic sitcom characters, Sheldon has his very own catchphrase, first said in the season 2 finale. His self-satisfaction, paired with the undeniably goofy little exclamation, makes "Bazinga!" among the funniest Sheldon Cooper quotes, brought up multiple times throughout the rest of The Big Theory. Young Sheldon even doubled down on the significance of "bazinga!", revealing that it was a word Sheldon learned from a series of practical jokes, and therefore, remains one of the few behavioral things that he has carried over from his formative years into his adulthood in The Big Bang Theory.

The Big Bang Theory Poster
The Big Bang Theory
Romance
Comedy

Release Date
September 24, 2007
Cast
Kaley Cuoco , Johnny Galecki , Jim Parsons , Melissa Rauch , Mayim Bialik , Kunal Nayyar , Simon Helberg
Seasons
12
Story By
Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady
Network
CBS

  • The Big Bang Theory Poster
    The Big Bang Theory
    Cast:
    Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Melissa Rauch, Mayim Bialik, Kunal Nayyar, Simon Helberg
    Genres:
    Romance, Comedy
    Release Date:
    2007-09-24
    Seasons:
    12
    Story By:
    Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady
    Writers:
    Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady
    Network:
    CBS
    Franchise(s):
    The Big Bang Theory
    Directors:
    Mark Cendrowski
    Showrunner:
    Mark Cendrowski