- Freamon: A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It's the shit that happens while you're waiting for moments that never come.
- Det. William Moreland: You seem awfully happy today.
- Det. Ray Cole: I got laid last night.
- Det. William Moreland: Oh yeah? Your asshole still hurt?
- Det. William Moreland: Boy, them Greeks and those twisted-ass names.
- Det. James 'Jimmy' McNulty: Man, lay off the Greeks. They invented civilization.
- Det. William Moreland: Yeah? Ass-fucking, too.
- Avon Barksdale: I ain't no suit-wearin' businessman like you... you know I'm just a gangsta I suppose...
- Det. James 'Jimmy' McNulty: [during interrogation] No name, huh? Well, for now, we'll just call you Boris.
- Sergei 'Serge' Malatov: [sighs] Boris. Why always Boris?
- Brother Mouzone: I see you favor a .45.
- Omar: At night I do. And I keeps one in the chamber in case you ponderin'.
- Spraypainted on wall: Bodymore, Murdaland