Skip to Content

The best quotes from Downton Abbey season 5

Downton Abbey fans will know that from episode to episode, the quotes and 'Downtonisms' are sometimes the best bits. So, here are the top quotes from season 5 as they happen.
By
Dog breed, Carnivore, Dog, Sporting Group, Fur, Companion dog, Canidae, St. bernard, Gun dog, Kennel club,
1

Mr Carson

Clothing, Dress shirt, Collar, Sleeve, Outerwear, Formal wear, Coat, Suit, Bow tie, White-collar worker,
As Carson points out, what is life without hope?

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
2

Lord Gillingham

Coat, Hat, Outerwear, Suit, Formal wear, Petal, Fashion accessory, Headgear, Tie, Sun hat,
Lord Gillingham is a very wise man indeed...

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Gladys Denker

Finger, Sleeve, Hand, Formal wear, Gesture, Portrait, Portrait photography, Photo caption, Official,
Giving lessons in confidence.

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
4

Daisy and Mrs Patmore

Drama, Scene, Acting, Conversation, Vintage clothing, Opera, Photo caption, heater, Costume design, History,
Broaden your choices.

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Mr Bates

Clothing, Hat, Coat, Dress shirt, Collar, Sleeve, Chin, Shirt, Outerwear, Suit,
We could all do with someone like Anna Bates in our lives. Mr Bates thanked his wife for always seeing the bright side.

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
6

Spratt

Clothing, Hat, Coat, People, Dress shirt, Collar, Photograph, Suit, Outerwear, Formal wear,
As Spratt pointed out to his boss Lady Violet, knowing that others also have problems, puts your own into perspective.

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Anna Bates

Sleeve, Collar, Hat, Style, Headgear, Fashion, Costume accessory, Blazer, Fashion model, Beige,
Anna Bates obviously foresaw the boom in the UK property market.

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
8

Mrs Hughes

Collar, Picture frame, Wall clock, White-collar worker, Photo caption,
Oh, the gender politics!

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Isobel Crawley and Lady Violet

Facial hair, Hat, Headgear, Costume accessory, Beard, Conversation, Costume hat, Vintage clothing, Fedora, Sun hat,
Lady Violet - the Downton institution.

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
10

Isobel Crawley and Lady Violet

Head, Ear, Hairstyle, Style, Interaction, Jewellery, Brown hair, Conversation, Hair coloring, Photo caption,
Tips on dinner party conversation...

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Lord Grantham

Collar, Sleeve, Dress shirt, Outerwear, Coat, Formal wear, Jacket, Blazer, Cloak, Street fashion,
There is no point in sugar-coating the truth.

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
12

Lord Grantham

Collar, Dress shirt, Sleeve, Formal wear, Jacket, Blazer, Cloak, Mantle, Costume, Top,
A wise Lord Grantham wants to manage Sybil's expectations in life.

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Mrs Patmore

Sleeve, Collar, Beige, Wrinkle, Portrait photography, Vintage clothing, Portrait, Bonnet,
When there is dinner to be cooked, there is no time for emotions.

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
14

Lady Mary

Sleeve, Textile, Hat, Winter, Jacket, Fur clothing, Headgear, Street fashion, Fashion, Fashion model,
When sexual desire clouds the judgement...

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

Lady Cora

Sleeve, Hat, Collar, Coat, Formal wear, Style, Blazer, Suit, Headgear, Fashion,
Giving lessons in growing old gracefully.

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
16

Lady Violet

Photo caption, Vintage clothing, Portrait, Portrait photography, History, Wrinkle, Movie,
We imagine Lady Violet would have a thing or two to say about all those Facebook 'friends'.

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17

Lady Violet

Nose, Coat, Collar, Hat, Suit, Blazer, Sun hat, White-collar worker, Photography, Fedora,
You are the master of your emotions.

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
18

Lady Violet

Wrinkle, Portrait, Portrait photography, Picture frame, Photo caption, Vintage clothing,
As always, Lady Violet had some sage advice for Lady Mary.

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

Lady Violet

Collar, Coat, Outerwear, Hat, Dress shirt, Formal wear, Suit, Blazer, Wrinkle, White-collar worker,
Lady Violet has one simple way to maintain calm - cut down on thinking.

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
20

Lady Violet

Hat, Headgear, Costume accessory, Costume hat, Lamp, Photography, Vintage clothing, Sun hat, Home accessories, Acting,
The perils of always being politically correct.

Like this? You'll love...
The best Maggie Smith Downton quotes ever
The most shocking things in last night's Downton Abbey
More GH events and what's on
Watch Next 
Dog breed, Carnivore, Dog, Sporting Group, Fur, Companion dog, Canidae, St. bernard, Gun dog, Kennel club,
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Lifestyle

matthew macfadyen

The Miniature Wife is a new kind of domestic drama

map of the caribbean
From Good Housekeeping for Sandals

The GH guide to exploring the Caribbean

vb

'Why I'm glad Victoria Beckham has talked about her eating disorder'

tx date:08 10 2025,tx week:40,embargoed until:08 10 2025 00:00:00,description:*not for publication until 00:01hrs, wednesday 8th october, 2025*,copyright:studio lambert,credit line:bbc/studio lambert/euan cherry

Celebrity Traitors is here and this is our verdict

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
london, england july 16: catherine, princess of wales and princess charlotte of wales watch carlos alcaraz vs novak djokovic in the wimbledon 2023 mens final on centre court during day fourteen of the wimbledon tennis championships at all england lawn tennis and croquet club on july 16, 2023 in london, england. (photo by karwai tang/wireimage)

Kate on what her children’s ‘greatest inheritance’ should be

london, england august 21: celia imrie attends the thursday murder club uk premiere at leicester square gardens on august 21, 2025 in london, england. (photo by karwai tang/wireimage)

Celebrity Traitors star ‘in love’ with Celia Imrie

person indoors in a casual white shirt with a neutral expression

How I went back to uni as a neuro-diverse mum of 4

london, england october 08: victoria beckham and david beckham attend the victoria beckham world premiere at the curzon mayfair on october 08, 2025 in london, england. (photo by samir hussein/wireimage)

David Beckham praises ‘warm, loving’ wife as kids support mum

london, england june 05: catherine, duchess of cambridge hugs prince louis of cambridge during the platinum pageant on june 05, 2022 in london, england. the platinum jubilee of elizabeth ii is being celebrated from june 2 to june 5, 2022, in the uk and commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of queen elizabeth ii on 6 february 1952. (photo by chris jackson wpa pool/getty images)

Kate reveals ‘toxic’ family habit we’re all guilty of

los angeles, california february 03: victoria beckham arrives at the premiere of lola at regency bruin theatre on february 03, 2024 in los angeles, california. (photo by steve granitz/getty images)

VB's documentary director shares how kids 'roast' their mum

best toy deals

The best Amazon Prime Day toy deals to snap up

claudia winkleman celebrity traitors outfits

Get Claudia Winkleman's Celeb Traitors looks

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below