In Billions, controversial hedge fund billionaire Bobby "Axe" Axelrod brings a Machiavellian approach to the world of finance. To the Axe Capital CEO, every moment is a battle that he has to win. His competitive nature makes him get the better of most of his rivals most of the time and while at it, he manages to come up with some of the most impressive quotes on the show.
In Axe's dialogue, his arrogance and pride always shine bright. He is a man who is aware that he is on top of the world. However, that doesn't make him any less cautious. He never gets lazy either hence his ambition always trickles from the words he says. Even when he is being, Axe's quotes never fail to entertain.
"What Have I Done Wrong? Really? Except Make Money And Succeed."
During one of their most explosive confrontations, Axe steps back and wonders why Chuck is trying so hard to bring him down for insider trading. To him, he has worked hard to be where he is hence he should be celebrated.
For Axe, the lines between good and bad are blurred. It doesn't matter what he does to be successful. What matters is that he is among the 1%. Despite being one of the smartest characters in Billions, Axe fails to understand here that as a US Attorney, Chuck doesn't see the world from the same lens. To him, rules have to be followed. It's his job to bring lawbreakers like Axe to book.
"Get Up Or People Will Think I'm Not Paying You Enough."
Axe isn't too impressed when Wags appears absent-minded during a charity dinner. The COO won't even stand when it's time to do so. This causes Axe to lose it.
The billionaire prides himself on being one of the best employers in the industry. He offers some of the best remunerations, with employees like Taylor and Wendy reported to earn 7-figure bonuses each year. It's thus understandable that he wants to maintain Axe Capital's reputation as the best place to work. This way, he will always manage to poach the best talent.
"Come Bonus Time, I Am Gonna Show You Enough Love, You Could Start A Third Family!"
“Dollar Bill” Stearn is given a hero's welcome at the office after winning his insider trading case. To everyone's surprise, Bobby angrily summons him to his office and begins yelling at him. It's all a ploy. He wants everyone to think he is angry at Stearn so that his new enemies, the Ionosphere trio, can recruit him. This way, he'll make Stearn a mole. Stearn is in on the plan.
Bobby knows how to motivate people to jump into the mud with him and play his dirty games and that's why he promises Stearn a big enough bonus that will make him afford to have 3 families. He knows how sybaritic Stearn is, that's why the promise of making him afford polygamy is very appealing to him. It's a plan that works perfectly and Bobby quickly makes Ionosphere a subsidiary of Axe Capital.
"The Greats Never Sacrifice The Important For The Urgent."
Axe finds himself with two major decisions to make when revolutionary phone company Sansomic fails to deliver on the glass phones they promised the public. New information from one of the best characters in Billions, Mafee, has arrived too. Nigeria's economy is tanking so Axe Capital needs to take advantage of that. Axe chooses to create time for both.
While betting on Sansomic has led to losses, Axe doesn't feel that addressing that particular problem is all he should be focusing on. He is ready to jump on any opportunity that arises too, even if it means having a lot on his plate. Axe's greed has always been on display but he is ever more than glad to do anything to satisfy it, even if it's at the expense of others.
"What's The Point Of Having F*** You Money, If You Never Say, 'F*** You'?"
During their earliest confrontation in the pilot episode, Chuck advises Axe to quit. Axe has no plan to do that, figuring he has enough money to deal with any problem that may arise.
The slang term "F*** You Money" is normally used to refer to adequate cash that one has that can unable to resist being controlled by an employer, business associate, or rival. Axe doesn't see any reason why he should listen to Chuck. He is a billionaire after all, yet Chuck, despite being good at his job, is insecure about earning eight times less than his spouse, Wendy.
"Even The Great Tamers Need To Remember They’re Dealing With Wild Animals."
At the height of the Opportunity Zone deal, Axe makes a bold declaration: Chuck might never really bring him down. He boasts that he is indeed as badass as they come.
For once, Axe is acknowledging that Chuck is good at his job. He is a great tamer, a man who had won 81 insider trading cases by the time the events of the pilot kicked off. Nevertheless, Axe is confident that he is unlike no man Chuck has ever dealt with before. The other "wild animals" allowed themselves to be toyed with, but Axe has the ability to bite even when he has been caged.
"Cut Them Down Like I Was Conor MacLeod."
Axe denies his employees bonuses at one point, leaving them disgruntled. As one of the most powerful characters in Billions, Wendy always knows how to puppeteer Axe so she gets his estranged wife Lara to talk to him. Lara asks him what he'd do if his employees rebelled and he declares that he'll destroy them like McLeod.
The Conor MacLeod pop culture reference is about the prolific main character of the Highlander franchise who is known for butchering his opponents on the battlefield. With a name like Axe, the reference is indeed fitting. His words here point to his general ruthlessness. Anyone that tries to cross him is normally dealt with without any mercy.
"If You Can’t Buy The Art, Buy The Artist."
Artist Nico Tanner rejects Axe's offer when the billionaire tries to buy one of his paintings. Instead of offering more money for the painting, he hires the artist on a lucrative salary.
Axe always gets what Axe wants, and this is yet another moment that proves that. He has mastered the art of maneuvering around every "No" that he is told. Unfortunately, this move doesn't work out so well since the artist develops creative block. He was right about not painting for money. The zeroes in his bank account have robbed him of the inspiration he needs.
"You Were Wrong. I’m Not Human. I Am A Machine. I’m A F***g Terminator."
Axe Capital's new COO, Stephanie Reed, reassures Axe when the billionaire stresses about an unprofitable quarter. She tells him that it's okay because he's human. Bobby later fires her and his final words to her are that he is not human but a terminator.
It's a brutal move from Bobby but one that fits right in with his personality. He not only likes his ego stroked, something that Wags does so well but also prefers to have employees that don't accept failure as normal. How highly Bobby thinks of himself might be a turnoff to some but it's the kind of mentality that has got him to where he is.
"I Don't Lie To Myself And I Don't Hold On To A Loser."
When Freddie makes a bad bet on Cross-Co., losing $210,000 in the process, he sulks and refuses to mingle with the rest of the Axe Capital employees during a team-building exercise. Axe advises him to dump the stock.
There is a reason Axe is high up the Forbes list. He rarely makes bad decisions. He has the ability to spot mistakes that others are making too. Money aside, Axe is portrayed as a very understanding boss at this particular moment. Instead of castigating Freddie for costing the firm money, he gives him proper advice that would help him do his job better next time.