Driving Miss Daisy Quotes
An old Jewish woman and her African-American chauffeur in the American South have a relationship that grows and improves over the years.
Boolie Werthan: How're you, Idella?
Idella: Livin'.
Boolie Werthan: Where's that vacuum cleaner I brought over here?
Idella: In the closet.
Boolie Werthan: [turning to Hoke] She won't touch it.
Idella: I would if it didn't give me a shock every time I come near it!
Boolie Werthan: It works for me!
Idella: Fine... you clean and I'll go down and run your office!
Idella: Livin'.
Boolie Werthan: Where's that vacuum cleaner I brought over here?
Idella: In the closet.
Boolie Werthan: [turning to Hoke] She won't touch it.
Idella: I would if it didn't give me a shock every time I come near it!
Boolie Werthan: It works for me!
Idella: Fine... you clean and I'll go down and run your office!
[Hoke and Miss Daisy are talking about how he can't read]
Daisy Werthan: You know your letters don't you?
Hoke Colburn: Oh yeah, yeah I know my ABC's pretty good, just can't read.
Daisy Werthan: Stop saying that you're making me mad! If you know your letters you can read. You just don't know you can read.
Hoke Colburn: Maam?
Daisy Werthan: I taught some of the stupidest children God ever put on the face of this earth and all of them could read well enough to find a name on a tombstone.
Daisy Werthan: You know your letters don't you?
Hoke Colburn: Oh yeah, yeah I know my ABC's pretty good, just can't read.
Daisy Werthan: Stop saying that you're making me mad! If you know your letters you can read. You just don't know you can read.
Hoke Colburn: Maam?
Daisy Werthan: I taught some of the stupidest children God ever put on the face of this earth and all of them could read well enough to find a name on a tombstone.
Hoke Colburn: [on a pay phone calling Boolie after taking Daisy to the Piggly Wiggly] Hello, Mr. Werthan? Yeah, it's me. Guess where I'm at? I jus' finished drivin' yo mama to da store.
[laughs]
Hoke Colburn: Oh, yeah, she flap around some, but she's all right, she in da store. Oh, Lord, she jus' looked out da window an' seen me on da phone... prob'ly gonna throw a fit right there at da checkout!
[pause]
Hoke Colburn: You sho' right about that! Only took me six days. Same time it took the Lord to make the world! All right, 'bye now!
[laughs]
Hoke Colburn: Oh, yeah, she flap around some, but she's all right, she in da store. Oh, Lord, she jus' looked out da window an' seen me on da phone... prob'ly gonna throw a fit right there at da checkout!
[pause]
Hoke Colburn: You sho' right about that! Only took me six days. Same time it took the Lord to make the world! All right, 'bye now!
Boolie Werthan: Hoke, I want you to understand something. Now, you'd be working for me. She
[referring to Daisy]
Boolie Werthan: can say anything she likes, but she can't fire you. You understand?
Hoke Colburn: Yes, sir. Yes, sir, I sure do. And, don't you worry about a thing, Mr. Werthan! I'm gonna hold on no matter how she run me. You see, I used to rassle hogs down yonder in Macon, and, let me tell you, ain't no hog got away from me yet!
[referring to Daisy]
Boolie Werthan: can say anything she likes, but she can't fire you. You understand?
Hoke Colburn: Yes, sir. Yes, sir, I sure do. And, don't you worry about a thing, Mr. Werthan! I'm gonna hold on no matter how she run me. You see, I used to rassle hogs down yonder in Macon, and, let me tell you, ain't no hog got away from me yet!
Daisy Werthan: [on the phone, trying to get a ride to her hair appointment] Well, I need you now, I have to be at the beauty parlor in half an hour... no, I most certainly did NOT know you have to call a minimum of three hours ahead! I don't know why you call yourselves a taxicab company if you can't provide taxicabs!
Idella: [in the other room, polishing a table] Why don't you call your son down at the mill? He'll send somebody for you.
Daisy Werthan: That won't be necessary... I'll just cancel the appointment and fix my own hair!
Idella: Sometimes I think you ain't got the sense God gave a lemon!
Idella: [in the other room, polishing a table] Why don't you call your son down at the mill? He'll send somebody for you.
Daisy Werthan: That won't be necessary... I'll just cancel the appointment and fix my own hair!
Idella: Sometimes I think you ain't got the sense God gave a lemon!
Hoke Colburn: [Hoke walks in, Boolie and Daisy are there to confront him about a missing can of salmon] Mornin', Miss Daisy. I think it's gettin' ready to clear up out there! Oh, 'scuse me, Mr. Werthan!
Boolie Werthan: Hoke, I think we're gonna have to have a little talk.
Hoke Colburn: All right, sir. Just let me get outta my coat.
[pauses, then turns to Daisy]
Hoke Colburn: Oh, Miss Daisy, yesterday, while you was out visitin', I went and ate a can of your salmon. Now, I know you said eat the left-over pork chops, but they was kinda stiff. So, I stopped at the Piggly Wiggly and got you another can. You want me just to go on and put it in the cupboard?
Daisy Werthan: [embarrassed] Yes, that'll be fine... thank you, Hoke. Well, I guess I'd better get dressed now!
Boolie Werthan: Hoke, I think we're gonna have to have a little talk.
Hoke Colburn: All right, sir. Just let me get outta my coat.
[pauses, then turns to Daisy]
Hoke Colburn: Oh, Miss Daisy, yesterday, while you was out visitin', I went and ate a can of your salmon. Now, I know you said eat the left-over pork chops, but they was kinda stiff. So, I stopped at the Piggly Wiggly and got you another can. You want me just to go on and put it in the cupboard?
Daisy Werthan: [embarrassed] Yes, that'll be fine... thank you, Hoke. Well, I guess I'd better get dressed now!
Daisy Werthan: You should have let me keep my old LaSalle. It never would've behaved this way and you know it.
Boolie Werthan: Mama, cars don't behave. They are behaved upon. Fact is, you demolished that Chrysler all by yourself.
Daisy Werthan: Say what you want, I know the truth.
Boolie Werthan: The truth is, you just cost the insurance company $2,700. You're a terrible risk. Nobody's gonna want to issue you a policy after this.
Daisy Werthan: You're just saying that to be hateful!
Boolie Werthan: OK. I am. I'm makin' it all up. Look out there in the driveway! Every insurance company in America is out there, waving their fountain pen, trying to get you to sign up!
Boolie Werthan: Mama, cars don't behave. They are behaved upon. Fact is, you demolished that Chrysler all by yourself.
Daisy Werthan: Say what you want, I know the truth.
Boolie Werthan: The truth is, you just cost the insurance company $2,700. You're a terrible risk. Nobody's gonna want to issue you a policy after this.
Daisy Werthan: You're just saying that to be hateful!
Boolie Werthan: OK. I am. I'm makin' it all up. Look out there in the driveway! Every insurance company in America is out there, waving their fountain pen, trying to get you to sign up!
[Hoke and Boolie are at the nursing home visiting Daisy. Daisy appears unwilling to speak much]
Boolie Werthan: Hoke, I thought of you the other day on the expressway. I saw an Avondale Milk truck. Monster of a thing, must have had about sixteen wheels.
Hoke Colburn: You don't say!
Boolie Werthan: I was wondering how you'd like drivin' that thing around!
Daisy Werthan: [to Boolie] Hoke came to see me, not you!
Hoke Colburn: Look like one o' her good days!
Daisy Werthan: Boolie, go charm the nurses!
Boolie Werthan: [smiling] She wants you all to herself.
Boolie Werthan: Hoke, I thought of you the other day on the expressway. I saw an Avondale Milk truck. Monster of a thing, must have had about sixteen wheels.
Hoke Colburn: You don't say!
Boolie Werthan: I was wondering how you'd like drivin' that thing around!
Daisy Werthan: [to Boolie] Hoke came to see me, not you!
Hoke Colburn: Look like one o' her good days!
Daisy Werthan: Boolie, go charm the nurses!
Boolie Werthan: [smiling] She wants you all to herself.
Boolie Werthan: I'd better be gettin' back to the office. Florene'll be havin' a fit if I don't get home on time tonight.
Daisy Werthan: [sarcastically] Ya'll must have plans tonight!
Boolie Werthan: Goin' to the Anderson's for a dinner party.
Daisy Werthan: This is her idea of heaven on earth, isn't it?
Boolie Werthan: What?
Daisy Werthan: Socializin' with Episcopalians!
Daisy Werthan: [sarcastically] Ya'll must have plans tonight!
Boolie Werthan: Goin' to the Anderson's for a dinner party.
Daisy Werthan: This is her idea of heaven on earth, isn't it?
Boolie Werthan: What?
Daisy Werthan: Socializin' with Episcopalians!
Daisy Werthan: [as Hoke drives Miss Daisy to a dinner at which Martin Luther King is to speak] Boolie said the silliest thing to me just the other day.
Hoke Colburn: What'd he say?
Daisy Werthan: We were talking about Martin Luther King. I assume you know him.
Hoke Colburn: No'm, I don't know him.
Daisy Werthan: But, you've heard him preach.
Hoke Colburn: Yes'm... same way you have, on the TV.
Daisy Werthan: I think he's wonderful.
Hoke Colburn: [Hoke ponders what Daisy said] What you gettin' at, Miss Daisy?
Daisy Werthan: Well, Boolie says you wanted to go with me to this dinner. Did you tell him that?
Hoke Colburn: No'm, I didn't.
Daisy Werthan: [as Hoke looks at her seriously in the rear view mirror] I didn't think so. What would be the point? You can hear him any time you like. I think it's wonderful how things are changing.
Hoke Colburn: [Hoke stops the car] Now, Miss Daisy, the tickets for this here dinner came in the mail a month ago. Bein' that you wanted me to go wit' you, how come you wait till we in the car and on the way there before you ask me?
Hoke Colburn: What'd he say?
Daisy Werthan: We were talking about Martin Luther King. I assume you know him.
Hoke Colburn: No'm, I don't know him.
Daisy Werthan: But, you've heard him preach.
Hoke Colburn: Yes'm... same way you have, on the TV.
Daisy Werthan: I think he's wonderful.
Hoke Colburn: [Hoke ponders what Daisy said] What you gettin' at, Miss Daisy?
Daisy Werthan: Well, Boolie says you wanted to go with me to this dinner. Did you tell him that?
Hoke Colburn: No'm, I didn't.
Daisy Werthan: [as Hoke looks at her seriously in the rear view mirror] I didn't think so. What would be the point? You can hear him any time you like. I think it's wonderful how things are changing.
Hoke Colburn: [Hoke stops the car] Now, Miss Daisy, the tickets for this here dinner came in the mail a month ago. Bein' that you wanted me to go wit' you, how come you wait till we in the car and on the way there before you ask me?
Hoke Colburn: Hey, there, Oscar, Junior... how you boys doin' this morning?
Oscar: How the old lady treatin' you, Hoke?
Hoke Colburn: Lord, I tell you one thing... she sho' do know how to throw a fit!
[Hoke, Oscar, and Junior break out in laughter]
Daisy Werthan: What's so funny?
Hoke Colburn: Nothin', Miss Daisy. We jus' carryin' on.
Oscar: How the old lady treatin' you, Hoke?
Hoke Colburn: Lord, I tell you one thing... she sho' do know how to throw a fit!
[Hoke, Oscar, and Junior break out in laughter]
Daisy Werthan: What's so funny?
Hoke Colburn: Nothin', Miss Daisy. We jus' carryin' on.
Daisy Werthan: [Hoke and Daisy are driving to Boolie and Florene's for a Christmas party. Daisy, a Jew, is annoyed at the extraneous Christmas light displays] Everybody's wishing the Georgia Power Company a Merry Christmas.
Hoke Colburn: I bet Miss Florene got 'em all beat with the new house.
Daisy Werthan: If I had a nose like Florene's, I wouldn't go around wishing anybody a Merry Christmas!
Hoke Colburn: [laughs] Yes'm... but, I tell ya, I do enjoy a Christmas at their house.
Daisy Werthan: Of course, you're the only Christian in the place!
Hoke Colburn: Well, they got that new cook.
Daisy Werthan: [sighs] Florene never could keep help. Of course, it's none of my affair. Too much running around, if you ask me.
[Hoke agrees]
Daisy Werthan: The Garden Club this, the Junior League that... as if any of them would give her the time of day! But, she'd die before she'd fix a glass of iced tea for the Temple Sisterhood! I just hope she doesn't get it into her head to *sing* this year!
Hoke Colburn: [coming up on Boolie's house, looking at the gaudy light display] Oh, Lord, look what Miss Florene done done!
Daisy Werthan: If her grandfather, Old Man Freitag, could see this... what is it you always say?... he'd jump up out of his grave and snatch her bald-headed!
Hoke Colburn: [bursts out laughing as he lets Daisy out] HA! Jump up outta his grave and snatch her bald-headed! Miss Daisy, you oughta go on away from here!
Hoke Colburn: I bet Miss Florene got 'em all beat with the new house.
Daisy Werthan: If I had a nose like Florene's, I wouldn't go around wishing anybody a Merry Christmas!
Hoke Colburn: [laughs] Yes'm... but, I tell ya, I do enjoy a Christmas at their house.
Daisy Werthan: Of course, you're the only Christian in the place!
Hoke Colburn: Well, they got that new cook.
Daisy Werthan: [sighs] Florene never could keep help. Of course, it's none of my affair. Too much running around, if you ask me.
[Hoke agrees]
Daisy Werthan: The Garden Club this, the Junior League that... as if any of them would give her the time of day! But, she'd die before she'd fix a glass of iced tea for the Temple Sisterhood! I just hope she doesn't get it into her head to *sing* this year!
Hoke Colburn: [coming up on Boolie's house, looking at the gaudy light display] Oh, Lord, look what Miss Florene done done!
Daisy Werthan: If her grandfather, Old Man Freitag, could see this... what is it you always say?... he'd jump up out of his grave and snatch her bald-headed!
Hoke Colburn: [bursts out laughing as he lets Daisy out] HA! Jump up outta his grave and snatch her bald-headed! Miss Daisy, you oughta go on away from here!
Hoke Colburn: Oscar said you needin' somebody to drive for yo' family... now, what I'm 'on be doin'? Takin' your children to school, drivin' your wife to the beauty parlor?
Boolie Werthan: I don't have any children. Don't have the time...
Hoke Colburn: Aw, that's a shame! Course, you still a young man, so I wouldn't worry 'bout it too much!
Boolie Werthan: Thank you, I won't!
Boolie Werthan: I don't have any children. Don't have the time...
Hoke Colburn: Aw, that's a shame! Course, you still a young man, so I wouldn't worry 'bout it too much!
Boolie Werthan: Thank you, I won't!
[Boolie and Daisy are discussing attending a dinner where Martin Luther King will be speaking]
Boolie Werthan: Mama, we have to talk about this.
Daisy Werthan: Talk about what?
Boolie Werthan: The feasibility of all this. Now, I believe Martin Luther King has done some marvelous things...
Daisy Werthan: Boolie, if you don't want to go...
Boolie Werthan: I wanna go. You know how I feel about him.
Daisy Werthan: I know, but Florene!
Boolie Werthan: Florene has nothing to do with it. But, I still have to conduct business in this town.
Daisy Werthan: [incredulously] I know, Werthan Bag will go out of business if you attend the King dinner.
Boolie Werthan: Not exactly. But, a couple of men I do business with wouldn't like it. They might snicker a little, call me Martin Luther Werthan behind my back. You know, Jack Raphael down at Ideal Mills, he's a New York Jew instead of a Georgia Jew. And, the really smart ones come from New York don't they? Some of the men might throw their business to Jack instead of ol' Martin Luther Werthan. Maybe I might not hear about certain lunch meetings at the Commerce Club. I don't know, maybe it wouldn't happen. But, sometimes that's just how things work.
Boolie Werthan: Mama, we have to talk about this.
Daisy Werthan: Talk about what?
Boolie Werthan: The feasibility of all this. Now, I believe Martin Luther King has done some marvelous things...
Daisy Werthan: Boolie, if you don't want to go...
Boolie Werthan: I wanna go. You know how I feel about him.
Daisy Werthan: I know, but Florene!
Boolie Werthan: Florene has nothing to do with it. But, I still have to conduct business in this town.
Daisy Werthan: [incredulously] I know, Werthan Bag will go out of business if you attend the King dinner.
Boolie Werthan: Not exactly. But, a couple of men I do business with wouldn't like it. They might snicker a little, call me Martin Luther Werthan behind my back. You know, Jack Raphael down at Ideal Mills, he's a New York Jew instead of a Georgia Jew. And, the really smart ones come from New York don't they? Some of the men might throw their business to Jack instead of ol' Martin Luther Werthan. Maybe I might not hear about certain lunch meetings at the Commerce Club. I don't know, maybe it wouldn't happen. But, sometimes that's just how things work.
[Hoke and Boolie are walking thru Daisy's vacated home discussing how Hoke and Daisy have been since Daisy had to be put in the nursing home]
Boolie Werthan: I suppose you don't get out to see her very much.
Hoke Colburn: No, sir... it's hard not drivin'. Every now and then I takes a taxi cab, but don't too many taxis go out yonder.
Boolie Werthan: I'm sure she appreciates it.
Hoke Colburn: Yes, sir.
[pauses]
Hoke Colburn: Some days, she better than others... but then, who ain't?
[Hoke and Boolie both laugh]
Boolie Werthan: I suppose you don't get out to see her very much.
Hoke Colburn: No, sir... it's hard not drivin'. Every now and then I takes a taxi cab, but don't too many taxis go out yonder.
Boolie Werthan: I'm sure she appreciates it.
Hoke Colburn: Yes, sir.
[pauses]
Hoke Colburn: Some days, she better than others... but then, who ain't?
[Hoke and Boolie both laugh]
Boolie Werthan: What I need is for somebody to drive my mother around
Hoke Colburn: Well, if you don' mind my askin', sir, how come she's not hirin' for herself?
Boolie Werthan: See, it's kind of a delicate situation.
Hoke Colburn: Oh, yessir, yessir... done gone around the bend a little bit. Well, now, that'll happen as they get old...
Boolie Werthan: Oh, no, she's all there. Too-much-there is the problem!
[Hoke laughs]
Hoke Colburn: Well, if you don' mind my askin', sir, how come she's not hirin' for herself?
Boolie Werthan: See, it's kind of a delicate situation.
Hoke Colburn: Oh, yessir, yessir... done gone around the bend a little bit. Well, now, that'll happen as they get old...
Boolie Werthan: Oh, no, she's all there. Too-much-there is the problem!
[Hoke laughs]
Boolie Werthan: [Boolie is eating lunch at Daisy's, trying to convince her that she can't drive anymore after her accident] Mama.
Daisy Werthan: No.
Boolie Werthan: Mama!
Daisy Werthan: No!
Boolie Werthan: You know, it's a miracle you're not laying up at Emory Hospital. Or decked out at the funeral parlor!
Daisy Werthan: The cucumbers are pretty this year.
Boolie Werthan: Look at you, you didn't even break your glasses!
Daisy Werthan: No.
Boolie Werthan: Mama!
Daisy Werthan: No!
Boolie Werthan: You know, it's a miracle you're not laying up at Emory Hospital. Or decked out at the funeral parlor!
Daisy Werthan: The cucumbers are pretty this year.
Boolie Werthan: Look at you, you didn't even break your glasses!
