Summary

• Lady Bird quotes blend humor and heart, offering profound messages for audiences to reflect on.
• The movie's original screenplay is filled with thought-provoking dialogue from various characters.
• Lady Bird's journey of self-discovery is highlighted through the lessons she learns and teaches in the film.

The best Lady Bird quotes highlight the humor and heart of Greta Gerwig's directorial debut while also leaving behind some pointed messages for the audience to think about. The coming-of-age movie is set in the early 2000s and stars Saoirse Ronan as the titular young girl who prepares for the life after high school she envisions while also contending with first romances, new friends, and her combative relationship with her mother Marion. Along the way, there are lessons Lady Bird learns as well as teaches which make up some of the movie's best quotes.

Greta Gerwig's movie was nominated for five Oscars, including for Gerwig's original screenplay which is filled with terrific and thought-provoking dialogue. What is great about the most profound quotes in the movie is all the different ways they are delivered. Sometimes they come from adults who offer Lady Bird a new way to look at the world while others come from the young protagonist herself who, while lost at times, is intelligent and thoughtful enough to learn something from.

15 "But Do You Like Me?"

Lady Bird (Soarsie Ronan)

A big part of Lady Bird deals with Lady Bird's relationship with her mother, and this quote sums up the struggle these two have throughout the movie. They can be sharing a nice moment together which will suddenly turn into a fight, and vice versa. When Lady Bird questions whether her mother even likes her, Marion does not hesitate to let her know that she loves her absolutely, however, Lady Bird replies "But do you like me?"

While she loves her daughter with all of her heart, she doesn't understand her and does not particularly want to.

There is a distinct difference in what Lady Bird means and Marion knows it. While she loves her daughter with all of her heart, she doesn't understand her and does not particularly want to. She seems to be waiting for Lady Bird to come to her senses and start acting the way Marion wants her to. It is a good reminder that loving someone also means accepting who they are.

14 "I Actually Like This Song."

Lady Bird (Soarsie Ronan)

Another theme explored in a lot of coming-of-age movies is the pressures of the high school social scene. Lady Bird feels these pressures, being drawn to hanging out with some of the cool kids, even at the expense of spending time with her real friends. When driving in a car with her new group of self-important teens, the song "Crash" by Dave Matthews comes on the radio and the others react in discussion to the song. Lady Bird remembers the fun times singing the song with her friend Julie and admits that she likes it.

Pretending to be something else in order to fit in is a betrayal of oneself.

This is one of several Lady Bird quotes that's a simple yet effective moment that is relatable to many people. Pretending to be something else in order to fit in is a betrayal of oneself. However, Lady Bird shows the courage to stand apart by sticking by what she likes, no matter how unpopular. Though Lady Bird is an influential movie of the 2010s, its use of 2000s music provides a nostalgic element while also serving the plot.

13 "Well, I Gave It To Myself. It's Given To Me By Me."

Lady Bird (Soarsie Ronan)

It is a running joke in Lady Bird is that Soarsie Ronan's Christine McPherson wants to be called Lady Bird and refuses to bend to all the pushback she receives about the name. Her mother insists that it is not her name and other students label it as "weird". However, the way in which Lady Bird sticks by her chosen name is endearing and oddly courageous.

Lady Bird insists that it is the name she's given herself that should count for more.

When auditioning for the school play, Lady Bird confidently introduces herself only to be questioned on whether that is her "given name." With even more confidence, Lady Bird insists that it is the name she's given herself that should count for more.

12 "That Seems Like Everyone's Job."

Lady Bird (Soarsie Ronan)

A sequel to Lady Bird would be interesting to see her exploring the world of college where she is seen for only a brief moment at the end. However, it is more interesting seeing her explore getting ready for that future and the uncertainty of it all. Along with the financial restraints of her family, other obstacles in Lady Bird's path to college are her grades, as she is not the exceptional student she pretends to be.

When visiting her guidance counselor to explore her college options, the counselor more or less laughs in her face when Lady Bird suggests Ivy League schools. She explains that part of her job is to keep Lady Bird's expectations realistic, which Lady Bird feels she gets a lot of from everyone in her life. While realistic outlooks are important, young people also crave support for even their most outlandish dreams.

11 "It's My Tradition To Run For Office. Don't Worry, I Won't Win."

Lady Bird (Soarsie Ronan)

Though Lady Bird likes hanging out with the cool kids, she is also proud to embrace being an oddball at her school. This includes her hilarious unsettling campaign posters for the student council positions which are simply images of a lady and bird hybrid creature. When she gets complaints about the posters, she brushes it off as tradition and acknowledges that she knows she won't win. Everyone could learn something from Lady Bird's confidence and attitude. Even if the outcome is clear and success is impossible, trying can still be worthwhile.

10 “Money Is Not Life’s Report Card.”

Marion (Laurie Metcalf)

Lady Bird is a fantasist with a spirited artistic soul. Having an imagination as vivid as hers can be a powerful tool when it’s put to good use. However, throughout most of the film, Lady Bird prefers to channel her creative juices into daydreaming about wealth. Her mother Marion tries to ground Lady Bird with this ever-so-important reminder, but Lady Bird’s head remains stubbornly stuck in the clouds.

Even if she doesn’t know it, Lady Bird is positioning herself to live a much fuller life than Jenna.

At the other end of the spectrum is Jenna (Odeya Rush), a rich senior at Lady Bird’s school. She doesn’t want for anything because she has everything. Jenna has no aspirations other than staying in Sacramento and being a mom, whereas Lady Bird craves culture and experience, similar themes explored in Greta Gerwig's Little Women. Even if she doesn’t know it, Lady Bird is positioning herself to live a much fuller life than Jenna. This is one of many Lady Bird quotes that's a reminder that purpose in life is rarely if ever linked to how much money they have.

9 “The Government Didn’t Have To Put Tracking Devices On Us. We Bought Them And Put Them On Ourselves.”

Kyle (Timothée Chalamet)

People today put a lot of value on smartphones, but Lady Bird takes place in the early 2000s when cell phones were just hitting the mainstream of teen culture. Lady Bird’s crush, the superficially deep Kyle — played to satirical perfection by Timothée Chalamet — is impressed at Lady Bird’s subversiveness by not owning a cell phone.

Kyle may be a pseudo-intellectual, but his prediction is frighteningly astute.

Kyle may be a pseudo-intellectual, but his prediction is frighteningly astute. In today's society, it’s almost impossible to function without a mobile phone. While they’ve certainly made life more convenient, there’s something disquieting about being reliant on a device that can pinpoint our precise location at all times. The movie wants audiences to laugh at Kyle's pretentious attitude, but this line stands out as one of the best Lady Bird quotes as a solid reminder that life exists outside our phone screens.

8 “You Aren’t Gonna Get In A Car With A Guy Who Honks, Are You?”

Larry (Tracy Letts)

For a guy who recently lost his job and whose family is on the verge of being broke, Lady Bird’s father Larry (Tracy Letts) is an easygoing guy. His approach to parenting is night and day from Marion’s. He takes a step back and lets Lady Bird make decisions and mistakes for herself. However, when Kyle picks Lady Bird up for prom by honking, Larry proffers this question to his daughter. He is completely calm in his demeanor and doesn’t judge when Lady Bird responds in the affirmative.

Lady Bird already recognizes Kyle for what he is, but this is her father’s sweet way of telling her what it really means to be a gentleman.

This is one of the best Lady Bird quotes because it reminds viewers to always have a high sense of self-worth, especially in new relationships when romantic thrills can overshadow red flags. Lady Bird already recognizes Kyle for what he is, but this is her father’s sweet way of telling her what it really means to be a gentleman. While there are a lot of things in life Lady Bird cannot have, her father reminds her she deserves someone who will come to the door.

7 “Some People Aren’t Built Happy, You Know.”

Lady Bird (Soarsie Ronan)

Lady Bird is a whimsical delight, with many funny and entertaining scenes. However, the film does deal with serious subject matter. Though it’s not a main plot point, a few characters live with depression. While it’s unclear if that’s the case for Julie (Beanie Feldstein), Lady Bird’s BFF, it’s apparent that Julie is much more sensitive than Lady Bird. Julie never says anything, but she is obviously crushed when Lady Bird ditches her for the more glamorous Jenna.

Eventually, Lady Bird is able to realize that friends like Julie don’t come along every day. When she reconciles with Julie, Lady Bird finds her crying, not for any particular reason but simply because she’s sad. Nobody’s life is easy, and it is important to make the effort to give that extra little bit of kindness, especially to best friends.

6 “I Wish I Could Live Through Something.”

Lady Bird (Soarsie Ronan)

For Lady Bird, Sacramento is the place where excitement goes to die. That’s the main reason she wants to go to college on the other side of the country. Lady Bird seeks the sort of adventure worthy of an epic novel. Greta Gerwig's movie is said to be somewhat autobiographical, and it is easy to see the young aspiring actor and filmmaker yearning for a more culturally rich youth.

However, what Lady Bird fails to realize is that everyone has a story worth telling, even her.

However, what Lady Bird fails to realize is that everyone has a story worth telling, even her. In the span of a year, Lady Bird lives through domestic turmoil, getting suspended, and not one, but two heartbreaks. Her words are a rallying cry to never get too complacent in life, but also for viewers to recognize the poignancy of their own personal story.

5 “It’s Not Important To Be Right. It’s Only Important To Be True.”

Father Leviatch (Stephen McKinley Henderson)

An entirely new film could be devoted to the character of Father Leviatch (Stephen McKinley Henderson), a sensitive priest battling loneliness and possibly depression. Though not many scenes are devoted to Father Leviatch, these are bursting with warmth and authenticity. He’s the director of the school musical and this quote is a piece of advice during a warm-up exercise, but it can, and should, be applied to everyday life.

Lady Bird spends so much time wanting that she isn’t able to practice gratitude at all; Marion has gratitude to spare but doesn’t understand that aspirations are what help us grow.

Lady Bird’s main source of strife is her tumultuous relationship with her mother, with both stubborn in their own views. Lady Bird’s philosophy is to always be wanting more, and Marion’s is that she should be satisfied with what she already has. The paradox is that both mother and daughter are right and wrong at the same time.

Lady Bird spends so much time wanting that she isn’t able to practice gratitude at all; Marion has gratitude to spare but doesn’t understand that aspirations are what help us grow. When these two finally stop trying to be “right”, they are able to see the truth in the other’s perspective.

4 “Different Things Can Be Sad. It’s Not All War.”

Lady Bird (Soarsie Ronan)

A common theme explored in many coming-of-age comedies is the first sexual experience. When Lady Bird loses her virginity to Kyle, she is devastated to find out that he lied about being a virgin himself. Instead of apologizing, this toxic hipster doubles down on his odiousness, belittling her sadness by comparing it to the carnage of the Iraq War.

Lady Bird owning hers may not mitigate the situation, but there’s power in honesty and letting somebody know they’ve crossed a line.

It does good to remember that no matter what someone is going through, there’s somebody out there who always has it worse. However, people also have a right to their feelings. Lady Bird owning hers may not mitigate the situation, but there’s power in honesty and letting somebody know they’ve crossed a line.

3 “Just Because Something Looks Ugly Doesn’t Mean That It’s Morally Wrong.”

Lady Bird (Soarsie Ronan)

It’s not entirely unfair to think of Lady Bird as a desperate attention-seeker. However, this is one instance where Lady Bird isn’t trying to shock. She simply disagrees with what’s being taught at a school pro-life assembly. Even though she’s honestly expressing her opinion, Lady Bird doesn’t realize how profound these words are and that they go far beyond the issue being discussed.

Lady Bird takes this eloquent quote and applies it to her own life, seeing beauty that she never would have imagined.

Some people have the desire to stamp everything with a black-and-white label. Lady Bird certainly does, especially when comparing her own life to those who "have it better." As she graduates both high school and childhood, Lady Bird takes this eloquent quote and applies it to her own life, seeing beauty that she never would have imagined.

2 “Don’t You Think Maybe They Are The Same Thing? Love And Attention?”

Lady Bird (Soarsie Ronan)

Lady Bird may not have a high opinion of Catholic school, but the nuns and priests who work there seem to be full of nothing but compassion and wisdom. Sister Sarah Joan (Lois Smith) bowls Lady Bird over with this deep question in regard to Lady Bird’s college application essay about Sacramento. It provides Lady Bird with a lot of emotional clarity, that there’s so much in her life that she loves but has neglected, primarily her relationship with her mother.

The film ends with Lady Bird paying attention to Marion by calling her and thanking her.

In between arguments, there’s little time for Lady Bird to show Marion her love, but it’s that very love that is the source of their tension. Lady Bird desperately wants her mother’s approval and lashes out when she doesn’t get it. On the surface, this looks like hate, but it’s really the complex way people show their love. The film ends with Lady Bird paying attention to Marion by calling her and thanking her.

1 “I Want You To Be The Very Best Version Of Yourself That You Can Be.”

Marion (Laurie Metcalf)

It is this character-revealing quote from Marion that lets the viewer know why she’s so hard on her daughter. Marion sees so much of herself in Lady Bird. She knows that Lady Bird is capable of being a truly wonderful, loving person if only she would get her priorities straight. Eventually, Marion understands that she can’t bulldoze her daughter with her beliefs and expect her to change overnight.

This quote is the perfect mantra for everyone to live by. However, Lady Bird's pointed question in response, "What if this is the best version of me" shows that Marion may share her daughter's tendency to want things to be better without appreciating what they are.