Leslie Knope is one of television’s most inspiring and unforgettable characters and was brilliantly played by Amy Poehler in Parks and Recreation. The ambitious and determined city council worker completely devoted herself to the city of Pawnee, going above and beyond for its many unsavory residents and proving herself to be one of the most hard-working people in the government.
Leslie experienced many highs and lows throughout the seven seasons of the smash hit NBC sitcom, but her can-do attitude and unwavering love for her job, family, and friends remained constant. Poehler won a Golden Globe Award for her career-defining performance, and the role remains synonymous with the talented actress. Let’s take a look at some of Leslie Knope’s best quotes from Parks and Recreation.
13 “You know my code: Hoes before bros. Uteruses before duderuses. Ovaries before brovaries.”
Leslie and Ann share one of the most wholesome, positive, and downright endearing friendships in all of television history, and the spunky government worker wants nothing but the very best for her beloved best friend.
The hilarious quote is shared between the two close pals after Leslie throws her annual "Galentine's Day" brunch with her female friends after they both experience romance issues with their respective partners at the time and ponder the future of their relationships. Regardless of the men in their lives, Leslie and Ann will always have one another, and it will always be "ovaries before brovaries."
12 "So I just slept seven hours, which is twice as long as I usually sleep... so I'm a little disoriented."
After coming down from the massive success of the Harvest Festival, Leslie believes that she has run out of innovative ideas for Pawnee and begins to experience a major internal crisis. In an effort to cope with her own personal anxieties about what comes next for the department, she takes the Parks gang on a camping trip in hopes of brainstorming potential ideas for her next awe-inspiring project.
None of the gang are excited about having to camp and figure out a follow-up idea, as they all just (rightfully) assume that Leslie will go with her own genius concept. After becoming stranded due to Tom draining their vehicles' battery, the Pawnee crew heads to a quirky bed-and-breakfast where Ron forces Leslie to get some much-needed sleep, resulting in her coming up with a slew of fantastic ideas thanks to her seven hours of sleep.
11 "I would like a glass of red wine, and I'll take the cheapest one you have because I can't tell the difference."
Always honest and to the point, Leslie can't help but express her thoughts on the many wine options available at a restaurant while out to dinner with Ben. Instead of pretending to be a wine connoisseur, she hilariously states what many people secretly feel and simply opts to have the cheapest glass of red wine available with her meal, once again proving to audiences how relatable and lovable she is.
Leslie doesn't act like she knows everything about everything, and her refreshing (and wildly funny) honesty was refreshing and right on brand with the spunky character.
10 "It's not that I don't trust Ben. It's that I don't have faith in Ben. And also I'm starting to forget who Ben is."
During the fan-favorite episode "Flu Season," an extremely sick Leslie attempts to rally in hopes of showing up for a crucial meeting regarding the upcoming Harvest Festival. She refuses to acknowledge that she has the flu that is running rampant in Pawnee, instead blaming her symptoms on allergies, and begins to side-splittingly chug medicine in hopes of making herself feel better.
A naturally concerned Ben finally convinces Leslie to go to the hospital, where Ann watches her like a hawk to make sure she doesn't try to leave for the important presentation she's supposed to give. Rather than give up and let Ben show up for the meeting, an increasingly unwell and fever-ridden Leslie sneaks in and steals fellow flu victim April's medicine and sneaks out to the meeting, unsurprisingly killing it during her presentation (and dazzling Ben) before being immediately taken back to the hospital to recuperate.
9 "No matter what I do, literally nothing bad can happen to me. I'm like a white, male U.S. senator."
Once Leslie finally comes to terms with the fact that she has been recalled as a member of Pawnee City Council, the normally people-pleasing civil servant feels completely free and liberated as she finally stops running herself ragged for the town and its many ungrateful citizens. Leslie prepares to pass her position off to Eagleton resident and newly-elected councilwoman Ingrid de Forest (Kristen Bell) and finally stops caring about what everyone thinks about her and the work she's done.
Since the worst has already happened, Leslie embraces that hand she is dealt and lets loose, uproariously comparing herself to "a white, male U.S. senator."
8 "I am big enough to admit I am often inspired by myself."
For seven spectacular seasons, Leslie Knope was an extremely inspirational and uplifting female figure who motivated and encouraged the masses to follow their dreams. The fact that she fully acknowledges how great she is and all the hard work she does for Pawnee is refreshing and Leslie can't help but celebrate her own greatness when she finally settles into her office in the council chambers (equipped with a private bathroom and all, much to Jeremy Jamm's dismay).
Related: Parks and Recreation: Each Time Women Were Empowered
While celebrating her new surroundings and job with Ben via video chat, Leslie takes a moment to appreciate all that she has done and rightfully awards herself the kudos she deserves. Leslie is normally very humble so seeing her take a moment to appreciate herself was an entertaining moment for fans.
7 “Why would anybody ever eat anything besides breakfast food?”
If there's one thing Leslie Knope loves in this world, it's breakfast food. Her obsession with waffles, specifically from JJ's Diner, is well documented throughout the course of the sitcom, and she is the restaurant's number one customer and most frequent guest.
According to its namesake and owner JJ, Leslie has spent over a thousand dollars on waffles alone in just one year, solidifying her devotion and infatuation with the tasty breakfast treat and demonstrating her unwavering love for the food. Leslie's fascination with waffles is an ongoing gag in that comedy that is only rivaled by Ron's appreciation for all things breakfast-related.
6 “What I hear when I’m being yelled at is people caring really loudly at me.”
Always one to turn a negative into a positive, Leslie attempted to keep her can-do attitude intact even when her fellow Pawnee residents attempted to bring her down and criticize her. In the very first episode of the series, fans were given a glimpse at what the Parks and Rec deputy director dealt with on a regular basis, as she decided to embrace the citizens' constant complaints and turn their nagging into signs of compassion.
Leslie's extremely amusing approach to handling unappreciative and rude comments from the town's residents further proves how devoted and passionate she is about the work she does (whether they deserve her kindness or not).
5 "I love you, and I like you."
The endearing and tender romance between Leslie and Ben was one of the most wholesome and charming elements of Parks and Recreation, as their admirable love and relationship caused avid viewers to swoon over their relatable and down-to-earth bond. When the dynamic duo finally got married during the fifth season, fans wept as the couple exchanged vows in an impromptu ceremony at (where else?) the parks department.
Despite initially attempting to get hitched during a black-tie fundraiser to raise money for Pawnee Commons, things go unsurprisingly awry due to Jamm's interference and Ron ends up gloriously punching the intoxicated jerk. Though the two are taken to the police station, Ann posts his bail and he and Leslie take a stroll through the City Hall corridors where he leads her to their office where her friends and family are waiting.
Leslie and Ben tearfully exchange their vows, with Leslie emotionally declaring at the end of her speech, "I love you, and I like you."
4 "Ann, you're such a good friend. You are a beautiful, talented, brilliant, powerful musk ox."
Leslie is the master at coming up with delightfully bizarre and random proclamations about how wonderful, beautiful, and perfect her best friend Ann is. The ambitious, career-driven woman is constantly hyping up the women in her life with words of encouragement, though her heartfelt expressions for Ann remain some of her very best (and downright strangest).
Everyone deserves to have a friend who looks at them the way that Leslie looks at Ann, and their unbreakable bond and adorable camaraderie is a recurring theme in the comedy that has produced endlessly quotable compliments in the process.
3 "There's nothing we can't do if we work hard, never sleep, and shirk all other responsibilities in our lives."
Leslie is completely devoted to making the lives of Pawnee residents better, going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure she is doing everything in her power to help the town thrive. While its citizens may not always be grateful for her selfless nature and dedication to her job, that never stops her from giving every project, task, and idea her all.
Though she learned how to mellow out some and enjoy other joys outside of the Parks and Rec department, the workaholic Leslie could never truly detach from her role as deputy director, and she was eternally committed to her position and everything it entailed (and then some).
2 "I guess some people object to powerful depictions of awesome ladies."
Parks and Recreation is celebrated for its depiction of female friendship and its inspiring and diverse women characters, and fans couldn't get enough of their wholesome bond (even frenemies April and Ann). Leslie is always encouraging her gal pals to go after what they want and constantly reminds them how powerful and fabulous they are, truly establishing herself as one of the most motivating and uplifting faces on the small screen.
Related: Parks and Recreation: Why the Show Continues to Resonate With Audiences
Her refreshing attitude and unrelenting belief that women can rule the world (all the while supporting each other) and do anything they want is wonderful for audiences to witness and hear.
1 “We have to remember what’s important in life: friends, waffles and work. Or waffles, friends, work. But work has to come third.”
This quote definitely sums up what means the most to Leslie Knope: life is all about cherishing friendships and finding a job that instills passion and happiness, while also saving room for that delicious and buttery breakfast dish. Nothing will ever come between Leslie and her love for waffles (well, maybe besides Ann), and she has reiterated time and time again that the sweet treat is the source of massive joy and pleasure for her.
Leslie is expressing the importance of juggling one's personal and professional life, all the while reminding viewers that hands-down the greatest joy in life is indulging in a tasty plate of JJ's signature waffles.
