Leroy Jethro Gibbs' 10 Best NCIS Quotes, Ranked

Throughout the first 19 seasons of NCIS, viewers got the chance to know the leader of the MCRT, SSA Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), and found wisdom and humor in his dialogue, even if it could be sparse at times. As the leader of his team, Gibbs was always known to impart wisdom to the younger members of his team, especially when they weren't necessarily looking for it. Despite having more of a lone wolf mentality about his work, Gibbs always seemed to know the right thing to say when it came to issues in both personal and professional life.

A regimented man with specific rules that came into play throughout the series, viewers saw Gibbs through some of the most difficult moments of his life and career before he left the series during NCIS season 19. While Gibbs' origin story has been explored on NCIS: Origins and Harmon will be returning for a storyline on the series in its upcoming season, the flagship series is where the majority of Gibbs' wisdom has grown stronger over the years. With quotes that explain his life philosophies and make his relationships with his team clear, Gibbs has some fun turns of phrase.

10 "You want to worry about something, worry about tomorrow."

Season 4, Episode 19

Being an incredibly regimented person, Gibbs is also someone who tends to live in the present. While he may have his general fears and worries, Gibbs tends to be a calming, rational voice for the rest of the MCRT, which makes him an integral part of the team for reasons other than his leadership. During an episode of NCIS season 4, after a terrorist attack kills two agents that easily could've been part of the MCRT, Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) is having trouble separating himself from his work solving the case. In a moment of worry, Gibbs delivers rational advice.

9 "Facebook. That's that thing that some people...do stuff with?"

Season 8, Episode 10

NCIS is one of the unique shows that's been able to stand the test of time, beginning in the early 2000s and spanning throughout the 2000s, the 2010s, and now the 2020s. With so much time covered throughout the show, technology has shifted significantly while the series has been on, which has brought a whole different layer to the storytelling. In embracing things like social media, Gibbs is often played as the curmudgeonly older man who isn't interested in or aware of technology. During NCIS season 8, which aired in 2010, Gibbs even revealed he wasn't entirely clear on Facebook.

8 “Family is more than just DNA, it’s about people who care and take care of each other.”

Season 9, Episode 4

NCIS often allows Gibbs to remain stoic despite the fact that he's been through some significant trauma in his life. After losing his wife and daughter, Gibbs' family life became a blurry mosaic that was shaped by others around him, embracing the idea of having the family you choose rather than the family you're doled out. While Gibbs tried his hand at marriage again after losing his wife and daughter, things didn't always work out in his love life. During an episode of NCIS season 9, Gibbs makes his stance on family clear, explaining that it's more than sharing DNA.

7 "I'm not much for words. Most things are better left unsaid."

Season 10, Episode 9

Anyone who knows Gibbs and has watched him over the years on NCIS knows that he's not always the most verbose person. Despite having a lot to say when it comes to his work, Gibbs is a quiet man who knows when to talk and when to keep his thoughts to himself. During an episode of NCIS season 10, Gibbs finally expresses one thing about himself that everyone already knows, sharing that he's "not much for words" but explains why that is with another keen observation. Gibbs shares that "most things are better left unsaid," in a moment of wisdom.

6 “Bend the line, don’t break it.”

Season 11, Episode 4

Throughout the run of NCIS, Gibbs has a set of rules he shares with the MCRT in order to keep things running smoothy as they move through their case. While all of Gibbs' rules don't bubble to the surface at once, hearing them come to life throughout the show's run is a fun runner that allows different complexities to shape the show. During NCIS season 11, a particularly difficult case of stolen identity sees Gibbs tells McGee (Sean Murray) to "bend the line, don't break it." While Gibbs is okay with bending rules, breaking them goes against his moral code.

5 "You don't forget - just move on."

Season 8, Episode 14

Having dealt with some particularly harrowing issues in his life, Gibbs' ability to compartmentalize is a shocking, sometimes overwhelming part of his personality. Watching over the years, Gibbs doesn't only lose his family as he moves through his time on NCIS. He loses many friends who have become family, and finds himself surrounded with tough emotions that can't always be unpacked quickly. In talking with someone about loss during NCIS season 8, Gibbs makes it clear that his philosophy for dealing with grief isn't about trying to forget the people he's lost or the tough emotions their absences have caused.

4 "That's what you do - you fight for your family, and sometimes you fight like hell just to have one."

Season 14, Episode 13

Gibbs' family at NCIS is one of the most important parts of his life. Gibbs makes this clear by protecting them and ensuring their safety, even after they've left his team and moved on to other parts of their lives. While Gibbs is often in the field and working with his fellow agents, he also has a soft spot for those back in the NCIS office, including Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) who during NCIS season 14 is dealing with a failed adoption that leaves him hurt. Gibbs offers sage wisdom that may sound a bit rough, but gives Jimmy perspective.

3 "Slap in the face would be humiliating. Back of the head's a wake-up call."

Season 2, Episode 5

Gibbs often responds to Tony or McGee's misbehavior with a clean slap on the back of the head, which is often more of a loving gesture than a violent one. Despite the fact that Gibbs knows Tony is a jokester and, early on in the show at least, McGee is green, he likes to make it clear that he knows more than the team. Gibbs is the leader, as shown in his more physical moments, which he explains during NCIS season 2. Sharing that his back of the head slaps are a "wake up call", Gibbs makes his motivations clear.

2 "I've seen bad turn to good plenty of times. You just can't lose faith."

Season 5, Episode 12

While Gibbs is someone who understands that there's a lot of morally gray people in the world, his work makes it clear that there is good and bad in everyone. Throughout NCIS' run, he makes it clear that he's seen it all, and his sage wisdom comes from experiences of all varieties. During NCIS season 5, Gibbs shares that he's seen people shift from bad to good over the years, making it clear that there's always room for change regardless of what's happened in someone's life. Gibbs explains that the key is to have faith a change can be made.

1 "Grab your gear."

Recurring

As Gibbs works with the MCRT, some things have become a signature part of his life. While his rules are a part of his identity as a boss, Gibbs has a rapport with his team that creates some interestingly specific relationships throughout the MCRT. While his team members don't always know what Gibbs is going to do, they trust that he'll lead them on the right path. With each case the team gets, Gibbs asks them to grab their gear, signifying it's time to head out. A turn of phrase for the NCIS leader, Gibbs' catchphrase in nearly every episode.