Oh, Scorpios. You may be labeled the most difficult zodiac out of all signs (though Geminis and Sagittarians rank highly too) but really, you're just misunderstood. Sure, you're prideful—too prideful if you ask me—guarded, mysterious, and vengeful. You hold grudges for life because your memories last for-ev-er. Hint: Don't try to cross a Scorpio.
But Scorpios are not all bad; in fact, there are a lot of positive Scorpio traits. For one, they’re incredibly loyal friends, intuitive thinkers, and passionate lovers (yeah, NBD). They can be just a tad obsessive…which is bad if you’re trying to hide something but good if your Scorpio friend is helping you figure out if your crush with minimal internet presence is single or not.
The Most Scorpio-y Scorpio T-Shirt in Black
Calling all Scorpios
Here's a little secret about water signs—they have deep emotions, but they don’t show ’em to just anybody. And as fixed signs, Scorpios are intensely loyal and stubborn AF. With two planetary rulers, they can thank Mars for their famous passion and intensity and Pluto for their interest in death, transformation, and the occult. (Yeah, Scorpios are a lil bit goth.)
To get an idea of the Scorp’s intriguing allure and magnetic sense of style, think of famous Scorpios like Frank Ocean, Winona Ryder, SZA, Kendall Jenner, Gabrielle Union, and Ciara.
Read on for quotes to add to your Scorpio mood board or your Instagram caption.
Astrology quotes about Scorpios
“Scorpios love to secretly influence the person in power to do the things they want to do, without having the full limelight. Whereas a fire sign always excels on the stage, a Scorpio is a better fit behind the curtain, pulling the strings of the operation and telling everyone where to go with just the immense power of their eyes.” —Astro Poets: Your Guides to the Zodiac, by Alex Dimitrov and Dorothea Lasky
“Be on guard with all Scorpios. I don’t mean they’re wicked. They’re just not soft or naive.” —Linda Goodman’s Sun Signs
“[Scorpio is] often the most misunderstood sign in astrology.” —Astrology for Happiness and Success, by Mecca Woods
"Scorpio is also about power—the power he wields over others and the power other wiled over him." —Unlocking the Secrets to Scorpios, by Trish MacGregor
“Listen to a Scorpio carefully with full attention. There’s no way of faking it. Scorpios always know when you’re pretending, and that will be the end before there’s even a beginning.” —The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need, by Joanna Martine Woolfold
“The stereotype is that Scorpios are super sexual, and while that’s not true for everyone, they do tend to have strong sex drives. When these people start to feel really close to their lovers, they become the most attached of the zodiac and they have a really hard time letting go. For that reason, they need to be somewhat cautious about who they let in.” —Astrology for Real Relationships, by Jessica Lanyadoo
"Secrecy does not have as much to do with Scorpio's decision making as does their desire for control. Yet, try as they might, Scorpios will never manage to achieve the emotional control of the earth signs, particularly Taurus and Capricorn. Instead, Scorpios are so passionate about anything that they are interested in that their interest does not stay hidden for long." —The Astrology of Whole Relationships, by Michael A. Katzenberg
“Scorpios are less interested in small talk and more interested in cutting to the chase. They want real emotional intimacy. Are you willing to go deep? Talk about your innermost desires and secrets?” —Emmalea Russo, Cosmopolitan
“Scorpios like substance, shattering insights, darkness, and secrecy. They feel irresistibly drawn toward redirecting the conversation from small talk to deep talk.” —Zodiac Signs: Scorpio, by Danny Larkin
“People born under the sign of Scorpio are highly emotional and intuitive.” —Black Sun Signs, by Thelma Balfour
“Scorpio is deep AF. And they take relationships seriously: They’re looking for a partner who will challenge them intellectually, emotionally, and sexually.” —Aliza Kelly, Cosmopolitan
Quotes by famous Scorpios
"I'm guilty of having strong opinions myself, but I'm trying to be more empathetic and understand why people think the way they do." —Ellen Pompeo, Harper's Bazaar interview
“I used to be very revenge-motivated but that’s just because I’m a Scorpio.” —SZA, Cosmopolitan interview
“I’m much happier on my own. I can spend as much time with somebody as I want to spend, but I’m not looking to be with somebody forever or live with someone. I don’t want somebody in my house.” —Whoopi Goldberg, New York Times interview
“I have my family and my friends. It’s equally as important to me to be a good friend and a good sister and a good daughter. I’m very close with my family and friends.” —Winona Ryder, IndieWire interview
"I think you should never apologize for what you cook." —Lorde, British Vogue interview
“An empress does not concern herself with the antics of fools.” —We’re Going to Need More Wine, by Gabrielle Union
“I think it’s really cool to embrace the pain of something that may have hurt you and be able to express it through music.” —Ciara, Essence interview
“The thing is that if I know what’s true in my heart and my soul, then what people say can’t shape that.” —Willow Smith, MTV interview
“I don’t live my life for other people. I just totally live it for me." —Tracee Ellis Ross, Harper's Bazaar interview.
“Don’t mess with the Scorpio!” —Katy Perry, Twitter
"My motto is, ‘If not now, when? If not me, who?’ I want to manifest my destiny, creatively, while I’m here.” —Jamie Lee Curtis, Independent interview
“I’m about being the best. Yeah. I mean, what’s the point, right? There might not be a point to anything—that’s real nihilistic and sh*t—but if you’re gonna be playing this video game, you might as well win, right?” —Frank Ocean, The Guardian interview
“There’s a lot of people that have great ideas and dreams and whatnot, but unless you’re willing to work really, really hard, and work for what you want, it’s never going to happen.” —Kris Jenner, New York Times Magazine interview
Scorpio song lyrics
“I’ve been hated by many, wanted by plenty / Disliked by some but confronted by none.” —“A Scorpio’s Mind," by Drake
"I don't forgive you / But please don't hold me to it / Born under Scorpio skies / I wanted to see the world through your eyes until it happened / Then I changed my mind." —"Kyoto," by Phoebe Bridgers
"I'm just a victim of changing planets / My Scorpio Rising and my parents." — "Scorpio Rising," by Soccer Mommy
"She sneaky and she freaky, I looked up her horoscopes / It said to be continued, this a story 'bout a Scorpio." —"Scorpio," by Moneybagg Yo
Quotes with Scorpio energy
“You are terrifying / and strange and beautiful / something not everyone knows how to love.” —“For Women Who Are ‘Difficult’ to Love,” by Warsan Shire
“You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I’ll rise.” —“Still I Rise,” by Maya Angelou
“Pity those who don't feel anything at all." —A Court of Thorns and Roses, by Sarah J. Maas
“When I’m good, I’m very good. But when I’m bad, I’m better.” — Mae West in I’m No Angel
“If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” —The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare
“I belong to the people I love, and they belong to me — they, and the love and loyalty I give them, form my identity far more than any word or group ever could.” —Allegiant, by Veronica Roth
“Don’t try to comprehend with your mind. Your minds are very limited. Use your intuition.” —A Wind in the Door, by Madeleine L’Engle
“A day will come when you think yourself safe and happy, and suddenly your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth, and you’ll know the debt is paid.” —A Clash of Kings, by George R. R. Martin
"And I'll rise up / I'll rise like the day / I'll rise up / I'll rise unafraid." — "Rise Up," by Andra Day
“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.” —The Fellowship of the Ring, by J. R. R. Tolkien
“I must get my soul back from you; I am killing my flesh without it.” —The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath
“It is painful to be in love. One way or another, you’re always aching for something.” —Ranata Suzuki
Erika W. Smith
Senior Astrology Editor
Erika W. Smith (she/her) is the current Senior Astrology Editor at Cosmopolitan. In her 4+ years at Cosmo, she's worked on everything from editing weekly horoscopes, to reporting on how astrology influences album release dates, to launching The Cosmo Tarot. Before joining Cosmopolitan in 2020, she worked at Refinery29, HelloGiggles, and BUST magazine. Her book series Astrosex: How to Have the Best Sex According to Your Star Sign was published in 2021. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @erikawynn.
Melanie Curry
Mel Curry (she/her) is the current assistant editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers everything from lifestyle to politics. You can often find her watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta or discovering local coffee roasters. Before joining Cosmo, she was an editorial assistant at Hearst Magazines, writing for Women’s Health, Elle, and more. Follow her on Instagram and the bird app aka Twitter.
