Summary

• Jesse's transformation throughout Breaking Bad is evident in his powerful and memorable quotes, highlighting his journey from a reckless drug dealer to a better person.
• Jesse's humor and immaturity, along with his heartbreaking moments, make him a fan-favorite character with many different sides.
• Jesse's awareness of his role as a enger in the drug world ultimately leads him to take control and step into the driver's seat by the end of the series.

While Walter White's journey in Breaking Bad is the most compelling aspect of the acclaimed series, the best Jesse Pinkman quotes are a reminder of what an essential and complex character he was to the show. Aaron Paul won an Emmy for his powerful and evolving performance as Jesse, who starts the series as a self-involved, reckless, and dim drug dealer yet becomes the heart of Breaking Bad by its final season. It is a transformation that mirrors Walt's own but in reverse, as Jesse becomes a better person and his most memorable quotes highlight that journey.

Though Jesse was meant to die in Breaking Bad season 1, the change allowed for him to grow into a fan-favorite character. He could be funny with his somewhat obnoxious and immature behavior as well as heartbreaking with all the pain he suffers over the course of the series. His greatest quotes not only show the many different sides of his character but also allow audiences to revisit some of his best moments on Breaking Bad.

20 “What Good Is Being An Outlaw When You Have Responsibilities?”

Kafkaesque (Season 3, Episode 9)

Jesse was a drifter for much of his adult life, choosing to flunk out of high school and focus his attention on selling and doing drugs, playing video games, and generally getting into trouble. While his ventures with Walter White were completely illegal and morally wrong, they were still run like a business that required responsibilities and ability. This change in style was not what Jesse had in mind when becoming an outlaw and finds that the partnership with Walt comes with far too many rules. It is an early sign of the great fun this odd couple pairing would be while also setting Jesse on a path where he embraces more of those responsibilities and starts to finally grow up.

Where To Watch Breaking Bad

19 "You Know What? Why I’m Here In The First Place? Is To Sell You Meth. You’re Nothing To Me But Customers! I Made You My Bitch. You Okay With That?”

Problem Dog (Season 4, Episode 7)

Jesse killing Gale in Breaking Bad was a pivotal moment for the character. Though he was the established criminal at the beginning of the series, he proved he was more empathetic and caring than Walt. Gale’s murder weighs heavily on him and he is torn apart by the guilt. This leads to him confessing to his addiction group that he is there to sell drugs, challenging their willingness to forgive. When Jesse is told he has to leave, he accepts it as he desperately wants to receive some punishment for what he did.

18 "This Is My Own Private Domicile, And I Will Not Be Harassed."

Sunset (Season 3, Episode 6)

Throughout their criminal activities together, Walt and Jesse are almost caught on numerous occasions, but one of the most nail-biting instances is when they find themselves trapped in their RV with Hank poking around outside. Though Hank knows Jesse is inside, Walt hasn't been found out and stealthily instructs Jesse to use some legal maneuvering to help keep Hank from entering. It is hilarious the reaction Hank has hearing Jesse suddenly spout the well-thought-out, "This is my own private domicile, and I will not be harassed.” Credit also goes to Jesse for recognizing that such a statement might not sound like it came from him, so he adds "B****" on the end for good measure.

17 “Are We In The Meth Business Or The Money Business?”

Buyout (Season 5, Episode 12)

While Jesse was in the drug business before Walt ever considered it, their difference in approach to it is interesting. Walt uses his chemistry knowledge to design and cook the perfect meth where Jesse is less concerned with being so ambitious, asking Walt this pointed question about his motivations. While it initially depicts Jesse as a lazy and greedy drug dealer, by the end of the series, it is one of his most important questions. Though the money Walt and Jesse could make was initially what drew Walt to the business, his ego gets the better of him. However, Jesse would rather make as much money as he can and leave the business behind.

16 "Would You Just, For Once, Stop Working Me."

Confessions (Season 5, Episode 11)

Even though Jesse Pinkman and Walter White spent a lot of time working together, there was always an element of Walt thinking he was better than Jesse, controlling him to some degree. So the moment Jesse calls him out on it and proves he's more than aware of what Walt's doing is fantastic. Jesse making it clear that he knew Walt was trying to play him with mind games was a brilliant moment in the series, and at this point it was clear Jesse was no longer going to be taken for a ride.

15 "A Robot?!"

4 Days Out (Season 2, Episode 9)

The funniest Jesse Pinkman quotes on Breaking Bad prove that he is not always the smartest guy around, but that is part of what makes him so endearing. He has a childlike view of the world at times which is refreshing compared to Walt’s deeply rational mind. When the two find themselves stuck in the desert Jesse tries to motivate Walt to use his science to build a new battery, a robot, or some dune buggies to get them out of there. Jesse gets through and Walt realizes he can build something. The amazement on Jesse’s face when he thinks it’s a robot is hilarious and adorable.

14 “We Make Poison For People Who Don’t Care. We Probably Have The Most Un-Picky Customers In The World.”

Fly (Season 3, Episode 10)

The difference in how Walt and Jesse view their product is brought up again with Jesse providing his own astute observation on their chosen industry. Given the clientele that Jesse and Walt are selling to, he is right in feeling that worrying about their complaints is not a priority. It is a darkly funny quote from Jesse but also shows one of the few aspects of his character that was unlikable. Though Jesse shows more comion than a lot of people in the show, especially Walt, he never seemed concerned with the damage he was causing people by selling meth. It would have been interesting to see him confront that more directly.

13 "We Can Do Better."

Gray Matter (Season 1, Episode 5)

Jesse and Walt make for a contentious team in the lab, so it is not surprising that Jesse looks elsewhere for his next partner in the meth cooking business. Recruiting his best friend Badger seems like a more hospitable working environment, but their partnership only highlights how much Walt actually rubbed off on Jesse. After cooking all day, Jesse examines their product and concludes that they can do better. It is a dramatic turn from his previous insistence that they need not worry about the quality, and is an early sign that, despite Jesse seeming like a child at times, he is capable of tremendous growth.

12 “I’m Not Turning Down the Money. I’m Turning Down You.”

One Minute (Season 3, Episode 7)

There are many people that Walt harms in his journey, some intentionally and others unintentionally. But Jesse is the one who pays the most for being associated with Walt, including when he is savagely beaten by Hank because of Walt's actions. With Jesse sitting in a hospital bed, he finally makes his stand, turning down Walt's offer to keep working and $1.5 million in the process. He makes it clear he wants nothing to do with Walt anymore after everything that he has been through. Aaron Paul's delivery of this heartbreaking speech cemented Jesse as someone the audience could care deeply about, and sadly, was just the beginning of his suffering because of Walt.

11 “Like I Came To You, Begging You To Cook Meth. ‘Oh Hey, Nerdiest Old Dude I Know, You Wanna Come Cook Crystal?”

Cat's In The Bag (Season 1, Episode 2)

There is a sense that Jesse was cursed the day Walter White came to his with a proposition to partner up. Of course, with Walt threatening to go to the police if Jesse didn't agree, it didn't leave any real option to refuse. In that way, this is a sad quote to look back on as it is a reminder that Jesse was strung along and used by Walt even from the very beginning. However, it is also a great display of Jesse's humor as he loves to put down Walt any chance he gets. The way he also points out how ridiculous their partnership is speaks to Jesse sometimes having a better perception of things than Walt.