20 Best one-liners from Harvey Specter that prove he’s the ultimate closer 

Harvey Specter is one of the most loved characters in TV show history. As the protagonist of the legal drama Suits, Specter is an influential lawyer. But to get to this position, he has some fundamental mantras that have helped him reach the upper echelons of the world of law. He is witty, intelligent, and self-assured. As a mentor to Mike, he often drops gems of wisdom, and here are 20 of them.

1. “That’s the difference between you and me. You want to lose small, I want to win big.”

Harvey says the quote in season 2, episode 5, and it shows his personality perfectly. The charismatic lawyer always sets himself apart by believing in strong virtues. For him, taking risks to ensure big wins is all that matters. He plays the long game, and his eyes are always on winning big. Harvey hates small victories and knows that for big stakes, one needs to take big risks.

2. “Win a no-win situation by rewriting the rules.”

In season 1, episode 7, Harvey shows what he is made of by believing in turning the odds in his favor. He is someone who does not let the situation go by him but instead catches it by the horns and reshapes the situation according to him. One can be sure that Harvey will turn the tables at the last moment, even if he is losing. And he tries to instill this quality in Mike as well.

3. “I’m against having emotions, not using them.”

Harvey says this line in season 1, episode 10, and this sentence proves that there is a reason why Specter is emotionally unavailable. He firmly believes in being the master of one’s emotions and only aiming at winning. In a manipulative and competitive environment like a law firm, he gladly sticks to his mantra. Even though he tries to teach Mike the same lesson, he sometimes falters and lets his emotions get the best of him.

4. “Life is this. I like this.”

In season 1, episode 10, Harvey tells Mike that “life is like this,” raises his hand slightly above the table, and says, “I like this,” and raises his hand above his head. This action demonstrates that the genius closer likes to live life lavishly and is ready to work hard for his lifestyle. He is bold and does not shy away from his interests. And he is ready to put in the extra hours.

5. "You know what you're doing, you deserve what's coming for you."

In season 8, episode 6, Harvey encounters a young social media influencer who threatens to sue a product, which caused her a break out, for 10 million dollars. But Harvey is not interested in going forth with the deal and leaves the meeting in true Harvey fashion by dropping these words of wisdom. Specter is someone who takes responsibility for his actions, and therefore finds the complaint frivolous.

6. “I don’t have dreams. I have goals.”

Harvey says this motivational quote in season 3, episode 6, and it sheds light on his go-getter attitude. The lawyer always makes sure that his exterior does not have any sentimentality, and in his interior life, he only cares about fulfilling his goals. While his quote might seem cold, it reminds one that it is better to work towards one’s aspirations rather than imagining about them.

7. “You tell me everything. That’s what goddamn loyalty is.”

In season 3, episode 1, Mike and Harvey are not on the best of terms, and Harvey does not know that Mike betrayed him in a case because of pressure from Jessica. But when Mike does confide in him, Harvey delivers this startlingly well quote, even in a flurry, which highlights the importance of always staying loyal to those whom you trust.

8. “I don’t get lucky. I make my own luck.”

In season 3, episode 15, Harvey is attacked by rival lawyer James Quelling, who leaves no stone unturned to exhort Spencer and make his life difficult. But the enigmatic lawyer makes sure to give a fitting reply to Quelling, as he declares that he is sufficient enough to change any situation single-handedly and does not rely on luck. This is what makes him stand apart.

9. “You don’t send a puppy to clean up its own mess.”

In season 1, episode 5, Mike is getting used to the complicated world of law and soon realizes that even a small mistake can have catastrophic consequences. When he messes up a meeting with a client and makes it worse by returning and trying to awkwardly rectify his mistake, Harvey decides to impart some practical knowledge to his colleague. The line is memorable and highlights Harvey’s wealth of wisdom.

10. “I didn’t doubt her for a second. I doubted her for days.”

While Harvey has no qualms about working with shady people, he does have the ability to determine the truth about his clients, even if they lie to him. In season 1, episode 6, Specter defends a client of insider trading and lies to them that he believes in them. But in front of Mike, he accepts that he knows about his client’s illegal habits and is adept at reading people.

11. “When you’re backed against a wall, break the damn thing down.”

This quote is another example of Harvey’s sheer determination to overcome every obstacle that comes his way and never be pitiable and blame your loss due to a reason or excuse. In season 8, episode 15, he says this to Mike and wants him to learn that adversities are not an end but an opportunity to work harder.

12. "I don't pave the way for people. People pave the way for me."

In season 3, episode 3, Harvey says this line, which once again demonstrates his belief in his own abilities and talent, which forces other people to take notice of him and work around him, instead of him setting his needs aside to accomodate people. Specter is a domineering personality and he does not believe in getting pshed over by people, instead, people have to appreciate him.

13. “Winners don’t make excuses when the other side plays the game.”

In season 7, episode 1, Harvey imparts this wise quip to Mike, who gets a license from the bar and is about to take on new cases. Harvey’s quote reflects his attitude, which is not to make excuses for one’s losses and even advocates for appreciating an opponent’s clever tactics if they have been used. His quote shows that one should always have a proactive and learning approach.

14. “Harvey Specter doesn’t get cotton moufth.”

Sometimes Harvey makes such witty retorts that even though they don’t have any important significance, they do showcase the lawyer’s personality and his ability to fight with words and win over any conversation. In season 2, episode 10, Specter says this hilarious one-liner, which highlights his strong persona and his inability to get nervous and develop a dry mouth, as he is sure of his abilities.

15. “They think you care, they’ll walk all over you.”

In another quote that highlights Harvey’s no-nonsense approach towards his clients and competition and his firm belief that emotions are obstacles to success, Harvey says this line in season 2, episode 7. Harvey wants to drive home the point that if people come to know about one’s emotions, it is easy for them to manipulate and betray you. In a highly competitive world like his, Harvey’s mantra is needed.

16. “Sometimes the good guys gotta do bad things to make the bad guys pay.”

In season 1, episode 12, Harvey drops this gem, which highlights his morally grey character. While Specter has never willingly hurt anyone, he does not hesitate to manipulate situations for his benefit and can even bend rules of law to close a case successfully. Through this quote, Harvey wants to state the fact that in some situations, even the good people have to become shady for the greater good.

17. “I refuse to answer that on the grounds that I don’t want to.”

Harvey is a man who is not scared of doing what he wants. And he does not believe he is answerable to anyone for his actions. In season 1, episode 5, he decides to represent his driver in a civil case, and when Jessica asks him if it is the right thing to do, he cleverly and hilariously says the mentioned sentence. This line of his is an early indicator of the type of person he is.

18. “Let me give you the ABCs of me…”

In season 4, episode 1, Logan Sanders starts making demands of Harvey, and the charismatic lawyer decides to set the record straight by beginning his statement with the mentioned line. While Harvey is witty and amiable, he does not let anyone boss him around and is quick to tell others that he has his own rules by which he works, and his clients must adhere to them. His quote shows that he knows how to demand respect.

19. "I'm not the guy that gives you a hug when you're scared. I'm the guy that wins when you need it the most."

In season 5, episode 4, Harvey once again proves that he is emotionally unavailable but is dedicated when it comes to his job. While having an argument with Donna, he says these words, which highlight his personality. Harvey believes in helping people through his expertise and is unable to display emotions. While it may seem cold-hearted, it is a wise quote and showcases Harvey's proactive persona.

20. “Never answer the phone in front of a client.”

In season 1, episode 5, Harvey decides to impart some wisdom to Mike and berates him for answering the phone while being in a meeting with a client. Even though it is said in jest, it has invaluable wisdom as it showcases how Harvey reached the zenith of his profession by staying true to these small principles, which always come in handy.