If you’ve ever found yourself searching for the best Michael Scott quotes, you’re in for a treat. As the awkward, hilarious, and occasionally wise manager of Dunder Mifflin on “The Office,” Michael Scott left us with countless memorable moments and leadership lessons—sometimes unintentionally! Whether you’re a fan looking to relive your favorite scenes or hoping to find inspiration (and maybe a little laughter) for your own leadership style, these best Michael Scott quotes perfectly capture the mix of cringe-worthy honesty and unexpected heart that made his character unforgettable. Get ready to revisit those moments that make us wince, laugh, and sometimes even think twice about our own office antics.
😅 Classic Michael Scott
“Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.”
— Michael Scott
“I am Beyoncé, always.”
— Michael Scott
‘Sometimes I’ll start a sentence, and I don’t even know where it’s going. I just hope I find it along the way.’
— Michael Scott
“That’s what she said.”
— Michael Scott
“I declare bankruptcy!”
— Michael Scott
“I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.”
— Michael Scott
“Would you rather be a feared leader or a loved boss? Why can’t you be both, like a lion…with a lap.”
— Michael Scott
“I love inside jokes. I’d love to be a part of one someday.”
— Michael Scott
“I am running away from my responsibilities. And it feels good.”
— Michael Scott
“Do I need to be liked? Absolutely not. I like to be liked. I enjoy being liked. I have to be liked.”
— Michael Scott
😂 Awkward Team Motivation
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. — Wayne Gretzky — Michael Scott”
— Michael Scott
“Do I have a special someone? Well, yeah, of course. A bunch of ‘someone’s. Someones. Plural.”
— Michael Scott
“Guess what, I have flaws. What are they? Oh, I don’t know. I sing in the shower. Sometimes I spend too much time volunteering. Occasionally I’ll hit somebody with my car. So sue me.”
— Michael Scott
“I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.”
— Michael Scott
“I am about to do something very bold in this job that I’ve never done before: try.”
— Michael Scott
“I’m an early bird and a night owl. So I’m wise and I have worms.”
— Michael Scott
“It’s never too early for ice cream.”
— Michael Scott
“I love my employees even though I hit one of you with my car.”
— Michael Scott
“I guess I’ve been working so hard, I forgot what it’s like to be hardly working.”
— Michael Scott
“Would I rather be a happy boss or have a happy boss? Frankly, I’d rather not answer that.”
— Michael Scott
😬 Leadership Fails
“Sometimes you have to take a break from being the kind of boss that’s always trying to teach people things. Sometimes you just have to be the boss of dancing.”
— Michael Scott
“I don’t want any special treatment, Pam. I just want you to treat me like you would some family member who’s super cool.”
— Michael Scott
“Make friends first, make sales second, make love third. In no particular order.”
— Michael Scott
“I saved a life. My own. Am I a hero? I really can’t say, but yes.”
— Michael Scott
“I am an early bird and a night owl. So I am wise and I have worms.”
— Michael Scott
“I feel like all my kids grew up, and then they married each other. It’s every parent’s dream.”
— Michael Scott
“Sometimes I’ll just start a sentence and I hope I find it along the way.”
— Michael Scott
“You cheated on me? When I specifically asked you not to?”
— Michael Scott
“Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject, so you know you are getting the best possible information.”
— Michael Scott
“I guess I’ve done something wrong. I guess I made a mistake.”
— Michael Scott
😎 Delusions of Grandeur
“Would I ever leave this company? Look, I’m all about loyalty. In fact, I feel like part of what I’m being paid for here is my loyalty.”
— Michael Scott
“I’m not usually the butt of the joke. I’m usually the face of the company.”
— Michael Scott
“My philosophy is, basically this. And this is something that I live by. And I always have. And I always will. Don’t ever, for any reason, do anything to anyone for any reason, ever, no matter what.”
— Michael Scott
“I am Michael, and I am part English, Irish, German, and Scottish… sorta like the United Nations.”
— Michael Scott
“I’m not superstitious, but I’m a little stitious.”
— Michael Scott
“I… declare… bankruptcy!”
— Michael Scott
“I am a great interviewer. Why? Because I can relate to anyone.”
— Michael Scott
“I enjoy having breakfast in bed. I like waking up to the smell of bacon. Sue me.”
— Michael Scott
“The most sacred thing I do is care, and provide safety for my workers.”
— Michael Scott
“I am like Superman, and the people who work here are like citizens of Gotham City.”
— Michael Scott
🤝 Unexpected Wisdom
“You should never settle for who you are.”
— Michael Scott
“Presents are the best way to show someone how much you care. It’s like this tangible thing you can point to and say, ‘Hey man, I love you, this many dollars’ worth.’”
— Michael Scott
“The people that you work with are, when you get down to it, your very best friends.”
— Michael Scott
‘Would I rather be feared or loved? I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.’
— Michael Scott
“There’s no such thing as an appropriate joke. That’s why it’s a joke!”
— Michael Scott
“Finishing that 5K was the hardest thing I ever had to do, except for every other thing I’ve ever done.”
— Michael Scott
“I’m friends with everybody in this office. We’re all best friends.”
— Michael Scott
“The only time I set the bar low is for limbo.”
— Michael Scott
“You want to hear a lie? I think you’re great.”
— Michael Scott
We hope this collection of the best Michael Scott quotes brought a smile to your face and perhaps even inspired your own approach to leadership. Michael’s accidental insights and unforgettable one-liners remind us that sometimes, the best lessons come from the most unexpected places. Whether you lead with awkwardness or aspire to more graceful leadership, a touch of Michael Scott’s humor can make any workplace brighter. Thanks for joining us on this hilarious journey through Scranton’s finest moments!
About Michael Scott
Michael Scott, brilliantly portrayed by Steve Carell on the hit TV series “The Office,” remains one of television’s most memorable bosses. As the Regional Manager of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch, Michael is famous for his unfiltered humor, cringe-worthy missteps, and surprising flashes of wisdom. Though he often prioritizes fun over productivity, Michael’s heart is always in the right place. His unique approach to management, brimming with misguided enthusiasm and awkward sincerity, has made him a beloved character and a pop culture icon for anyone who’s ever faced the challenges of leadership—or just needed a good laugh at work.
