- Francis Underwood: When you bring yourself down before someone else can, you control the way it happens.
- Francis Underwood: Where does the real power lie? The power behind the power. And I understood, Claire, that we have to think and act differently than we ever have. Because it's no longer about who *lives* in the White House, it's about who *owns* the White House.
- Claire Underwood: This is the presidency. How much higher can a politician go?
- Francis Underwood: The real power isn't here. It's beyond here. It's above it, but still working in conjunction with it. Look, Claire, you and I have always been on the inside. Trapped. In the bubble. But going forward, with my operating on the outside, in the private sector, and you working from here, we can *own* this house together. Don't you see? I've designed this. I wanted you to be the president. I've *made* you the president.
- Claire Underwood: Am I supposed to say thank you?
- Francis Underwood: No. But you will have to pardon me. Pardon me for all of my crimes. As the president, you're the only one who can.
- Francis Underwood: [to the camera] Gore Vidal once wrote that power is an end to itself, and the instinctive urge to prevail the most important single human trait. I've always told myself that everything I did was for her. But maybe it wasn't. Maybe I love power more.
- Claire Underwood: I've thought long and hard, Francis. Barely slept.
- Francis Underwood: That's the job.
- Jane Davis: Your future in doubt.
- Francis Underwood: Oh, don't threaten me, Ms. Davis.
- Jane Davis: I don't threaten. I just try to remain as clear as possible. You offered me your services, and I offered you mine. You know, I was here before you and I'll be here after you.
- Francis Underwood: [nose-to-nose] And regardless of that, let me remind you that nothing is more dangerous than me.
- Francis Underwood: Do you hate it here?
- Claire Underwood: Oh, you know I don't like hotels.
- Francis Underwood: An approximation of home just to remind you you're not there.
- Claire Underwood: Well, we don't live in a home. We live in a house, borrowed and temporary.
- [first lines]
- Francis Underwood: Oh, Congressman Romero, I just wanted to see you one last time before I leave.
- Alex Romero: I don't believe there's anything left to be said.
- Francis Underwood: No, not between us. Not any longer. I just wanted to thank you for your tenacity.
- Alex Romero: [chuckles arms folded] Whatever you're up to, you won't get away with it.
- Francis Underwood: Maybe I already have.
- Alex Romero: The committee will continue its work. We'll recommend charges to DOJ.
- [moves toward the door]
- Francis Underwood: Rochelle.
- [waits for him to turn back around]
- Francis Underwood: Rochelle. Such a lovely name. Tell me how much you don't want that to end up in the press. And then shut this committee down. No deals.
- [walks swiftly out of the room]
- Claire Underwood: Who are you to me?
- Jane Davis: Who do you want me to be?
- Claire Underwood: [chuckles] That's not a good answer.
- Jane Davis: You're the first woman President of the United States. All you've had to swallow, the sacrifices, the compromises. You're gonna want to isolate yourself. Not trust anyone. But that's exactly what you're gonna need. Someone to tell you what's what.
- Francis Underwood: Admit it. This is what you want. You were willing to kill for it. So, Claire, come and take it... before I take it back.
- Claire Underwood: Thank you. I'm going to bed.
- Francis Underwood: No one will ever love you as much as I do. I hope you know that. Just as I know that no one will ever love me... like you.