The 70 Best Phrases from Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones, a fictional series based on the literary saga A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin, is the most popular fantasy story from the HBO production company. Over 8 seasons, this series mixes the typical elements of the medieval fantasy genre with the more adult tone of dramas and political thrillers.

In this article we will see a selection of phrases from Game of Thrones spoken at some point by one of the characters that populate this story.

The best phrases and reflections from Games of Thrones

Let’s see a compilation of Game of Thrones phrases that are ideal for understanding the themes and character constructions that appear in this series.

1. When playing Game of Thrones, you can only win or die. (Cersei Lannister)

This line of dialogue can be considered the motto of this HBO series.

2. Why is it that as soon as a man builds a wall, his neighbor immediately wants to know what is on the other side. (Tyrion Lannister)

A reflection on the typical dynamics of power relations, in which the defense anticipates an attack.

3. The man who passes the sentence must brandish the sword. (Edward Stark)

You cannot decide the fate of others without being personally involved in it.

4. Power resides where men believe it resides. It’s a trick, a shadow on the wall. And a very small man can cast a very large shadow. (Lord Varys)

Another of the Game of Thrones phrases that summarize the principle of self-fulfilling prophecy applied to the topic of power.

5. A dragon is not a slave. (Daenerys Targaryen)

Dragons, as mythological beings are seen as a fundamental force of nature.

6. The gods have no mercy, that is why they are gods. (Cersei Lannister)

About what makes deities beyond human feelings.

7. I am the Khaleesi of the Dothraki. I am the wife of the great Khal Drogo and I carry his child within me. The next time you raise a hand to me will be the last time you have hands. (Daenerys Targaryen)

One of the lines of dialogue from the first season, in which it begins to develop Daenerys’ empowerment arc

8. It’s not easy being drunk all the time. If it were easy, everyone would do it. (Tyrion Lannister)

This character brings a satirical element to George RR Martin’s story, and here we see an example of it.

9. There is a beast in every man that awakens when you put a sword in his hand. (Ser Jorah Mormont)

The possibility of imposing one’s will by force changes people’s actions and their moral perceptions.

10. What do we say to the God of death? Not today. (Syrio Forel)

This phrase becomes one of the most repeated mottos of Game of Thrones.

11. All dwarves are bastards in their father’s eyes. (Tyrion Lannister)

In times past, from which this fictional world is inspired, certain syndromes or illnesses were equivalent to not being recognized by parents, in many cases.

12. All men must die. But we are not men. (Daenerys Targaryen)

The gender component is also one of the themes that this fictional saga addresses.

13. Violence is a disease and you don’t cure it by spreading it to other people. (Brother Ray)

This religious reference is committed to pacifism.

14. Chaos is not a pit, it is a ladder. Many try to climb it and fail. They will never be able to do it again. The fall destroys them. But others, if allowed to rise, will cling to the kingdom, or to the gods, or to love. Mirages. Only the ladder is real. The climb is all there is. (Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish)

Within the apparent chaos there is the possibility of gaining positions, according to Littlefinger’s competitive mentality

15. It is the last name that prevails. It’s the only thing left. Not your personal pride, not your honor… but family. (Tywin Lannister)

The father of the Lannisters, appealing to identification with the group formed by the family.

16. Angry snakes attack. That makes it easier to smash their heads. (Daenerys Targaryen)

Impulsiveness makes us vulnerable.

17. Money buys a man’s silence for a while. An arrow in the heart buys him forever. (Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish)

Another example of Petyr Baelish’s strategic cynicism.

18. The mind needs books like the sword needs a whetstone if it wants to maintain its sharpness. (Tyrion Lannister)

Apology for literature and constant learning.

19. Hate is good if it keeps us going. (Sandor ‘The Dog’ Clegane)

A feeling that acts as a driving force for Sandor Clegane.

20. Although I would appreciate your friendship, I am most interested in your ability to kill, and if the day comes when you are tempted to sell me, remember this: whatever the price, I will beat it. I like to live. (Tyrion Lannister)

Tyrion is one of the most vitalistic and Dionysian characters from Game of Thrones.

21. I guess it’s hard for a fan to accept a mistake. Isn’t that the whole point of being a fan? (Lord Varys)

About the rigidity of ideas.

22. Never forget what you are, the rest of the world won’t. Wear it like armor and they will never use it to hurt you. (Tyrion Lannister)

A way to use an apparent weakness as a tool of empowerment.

23. The strongest trees grow in the darkest places. (Brynden Tully)

Another of the Game of Thrones phrases about resilience and overcoming.

24. The man who fears defeat has already been defeated. (Syrio Forel)

Believing ourselves to be weak predisposes us to fail.

25. Bastards are born from passion, right? We do not despise them in Dorne. (Oberyn Martell)

This southern Westeros culture is more open and tolerant of diversity and the expression of emotions.

26. If you are going to take a man’s life, you must look him in the eyes and listen to his last words. (Edward Stark)

One of the moral lessons of the leader of House Stark.

27. Any man who must say ‘I am the king’ is not a true king. (Tywin Lannister)

Power is exercised with actions not holding titles.

28. A queen who trusts no one is as foolish as a queen who trusts everyone. (Daenerys Targaryen)

Virtue lies in balance.

29. The worst always live. (Sansa Stark)

Sometimes morals and ethics are obstacles to survival in a very corrupt world.

30. The only way to make them loyal to you is to inspire more fear than your enemy. (Cersei Lannister)

A way to force yourself to identify with the group and not want to leave it.

31. Each of us is poor and defenseless, but together we can overthrow an empire. (High Sparrow)

The leader of this religious sect speaks about the power of the collective

32. If you cut out a man’s tongue, you don’t show that he was lying, but rather that you don’t want the world to hear what he wants to say. (Tyrion Lannister)

Appearances matter.

33. Occasional kindness will save you all kinds of problems down the road. (Cersei Lannister)

A way of seeing kindness from a mercantilist logic.

34. Power is power. (Cersei Lannister)

Power justifies itself.

35. We have had petty kings and idiot kings, but we have never been cursed with a petty idiot for a king. (Tyrion Lannister)

Another of the Game of Thrones phrases in which humor is present.

36. By what right does the wolf judge the lion? (Jaime Lannister)

A reference to the idea that a hierarchy exists in nature.

37. The lion is not bothered by the opinions of the sheep. (Tywin Lannister)

In this classist vision of society, what certain social strata think of you does not matter.

38. A ruler who kills those who are devoted to him is not a ruler who inspires devotion. (Tyrion Lannister)

An appeal to common sense.

39. It’s hard to put a dog on a leash once you’ve put a crown on its head. (Tyrion Lannister)

Getting someone to give up a lifestyle costs more when they’ve already tried it.

40. Fire cannot kill a dragon. (Daenerys Targaryen)

A line of dialogue that serves to express Daenerys’ faith in the power conferred by her lineage.

41. The true history of the world is the history of great conversations in elegant halls. (Tyrion Lannister)

Another example of Tyrion’s sarcasm referring to the atmosphere of the palatial courts.

42. I did what I thought was right and they killed me for it. (Jon Snow)

In the world of Westeros, justice is not always served.

43. Faith and the crown are the two pillars that support this world. If one collapses, so does the other. (Cersei Lannister)

A moral pillar and another coercive.

44. If you think this will have a happy ending, you haven’t been paying attention. (Ramsay Bolton)

Ramsay Bolton is one of the cruelest antagonists in the series.

45. A Lannister always pays his debts. (Tyrion Lannister)

This is the motto of House Lannister.

46. ​​You are smarter than what suits you. (Tyrion Lannister)

Intelligence can make us a target for attacks.

47. War is between the living and the dead. Make no mistake, the dead are on the way. (Davos Seaworth)

In this series there is a lot of discussion about what the real danger is: the other sides in the war for the throne, or the white walkers

48. I beg to differ. Death is a terrible end, life is full of possibilities. (Tyrion Lannister)

Another phrase in favor of life.

49. We will defend the Wall to the last man. (Edd Tollet)

This member of the Night’s Watch motivates you to defend the wall from attacks.

50. Winter is coming. (Edward Stark)

The motto of House Stark.

51. Can a man be brave when he is afraid? (Bran Stark)

Idea that invites reflection on the nature of courage.

52. It’s the only time you can be brave. (Edward Stark)

Bran’s father’s answer to the previous question.

53. A reader lives a thousand lives before dying. He who never lives only one. (Jojen Reed)

Reading takes us to experience other worlds.

54. No man gives me a crown. I pay the price of steel. (Greyjoy Ball)

The Greyjoy patriarch talks about the role of a king.

55. The North does not forget. (Barbrey Dustin)

The North is a region with its own culture which is very marked in its internal policy.

56. You are mine. Mine, as I am yours. And if we die, we will die. All men must die, Jon Snow. But first, we will live. (Ygritte)

Outside of fights for the throne, the barbarians of the north live differently.

57. Tears are not women’s only weapon. The best one is between the legs. (Cersei Lannister)

Cersei uses all her resources to impose her will.

58. A man cannot make love to a belonging. (Daario Naharis)

Material goods do not replace people or the relationships between them.

59. Men never crave what they already have. (Melisandre)

A reflection on desire.

60. Love is the death of duty. (Aemon Targaryen)

One of the typical aphorisms among the Game of Thrones phrases that make up its script.

61. Children are another type of battle, without banners or war horns, but no less violent. (Catelyn Stark)

The family has its own struggles.

62. People learn to love their chains. (Daenerys Targaryen)

Custom breeds conformity.

63. What we love always ends up destroying us. (Ser Jorah Mormont)

Love produces vulnerabilities.

64. A dissatisfied wife is the best friend of someone who sells wine. (Cersei Lannister)

In Westeros, alcohol is also a method to drown sorrows in the short term… although its medium and long-term consequences are very harmful.

65. When the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. When the seas dry up and the mountains sway like leaves in the wind. When my belly stirs again and I give birth to a live child. Then you will return, my sun and stars, not before. (Daenerys Targaryen)

Daenerys’ farewell phrase to her Dothraki husband.

66. What is honor, compared to the love of a woman? What is duty, compared to the warmth of a newborn child in your arms, or the memory of a brother’s smile? Air and words. Air and words. We are only humans, and the gods made us for love. It is our greatest glory and our worst tragedy. (Maester Aemon)

Honor is less important than other basic elements of life.

67. Lord Janos, I do not question your honor… I deny its existence. (Tyrion Lannister)

A direct Tyrion-style attack.

68. A man without motives is a man whom no one suspects. Keep your enemies confused. If they don’t know who you are or what you want, they won’t be able to know what you plan to do next. (Petyr Baelish “Littlefinger”)

A tactical tip courtesy of this conspirator.

69. Some doors close forever and others open in the least expected places. (Varys)

Mistakes can open up new opportunities.

70. No matter what we want, once we get it then we want something else. (Petyr Baelish “Littlefinger”)

Another phrase about the spiral of desire.