Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) is one of the most important characters in Game of Thrones, and he’s well-known for his wit (even if it dwindles in later seasons). As a result, he drops many clever lines over the course of HBO’s fantasy show. Some are hilarious and fully in character, while others offer memorable reflections on status and power. Tyrion is uniquely qualified to speak on both, as he’s raised to understand them as a member of House Lannister — even if he’s granted very little of either, since he’s ostracized for being a “dwarf.”
Knowing how the world perceives him — and that he can’t get by on physical prowess like Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) — Tyrion embraces words and knowledge instead. Tyrion’s best Game of Thrones quotes reflect that, showing he’s capable of wielding both to elicit laughs, motivate others, and even stand against them when necessary. He’s got range, and that’s why there’s so much variety in his most memorable lines.
“I Have a Tender Spot in My Heart for Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things.”
Tyrion’s Kindness Makes Him Endearing in Season 1
Tyrion shouldn’t make a good first impression in Game of Thrones Season 1, as he spends the show’s early episodes embracing his vices, and he’s associated with the Lannister family, most of whom are instantly despicable. Yet, thanks to Dinklage, Tyrion demonstrates a magnetic charm. It helps that he has rare moments of goodness and vulnerability. That’s evident in his conversation with Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright), Maester Luwin (Donald Sumpter), and Robb Stark (Richard Madden) in Season 1, Episode 4, “Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things.”
The episode, which is named after this Tyrion quote, sees Dinklage’s character offering Bran the design for a saddle that will allow him to ride again. When Robb asks why he’d help the boy, Tyrion acknowledges his kinship with anyone who’s different and faces challenges because of it. His words endear viewers to him, showing that Tyrion isn’t like the other Lannisters.
“The Powerful Have Always Preyed on the Powerless . . .”
Tyrion Says What So Many Other Characters Dance Around
Game of Thrones is all about power, and Tyrion knows how to play the game. He also understands how things are set up, and unlike many of the other characters, he doesn’t shy away from the intentional cruelty behind it all. He may feed into it at times, assisting the very nobles who gloss over the plights of the commoners. However, he’s at least self-aware enough to acknowledge who’s at fault for leaving so many of them without power, as he says to Varys:
“The powerful have always preyed on the powerless. That’s how they became powerful in the first place.”
This line makes sense of Tyrion’s storyline, too, connecting his early episodes to his eventual desire to see Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) on the Iron Throne. She doesn’t prove any better for the powerless in Season 8, but he buys into the promise that she’ll make the lives of everyday people better. Knowing he’s aware of their struggles explains so much of his later character arc.
“I Am Your Son. I Have Always Been Your Son.”
His Last Words to Tywin Are Spot On
Tyrion killing his father, Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance), is one of the most pivotal moments of Game of Thrones, upending the power dynamics in Westeros forever. It also fundamentally alters Tyrion as a character, as patricide isn’t something you walk away from unscathed. The scene is iconic for many reasons, and this quote adds to its appeal. Tywin may spend four seasons treating Tyrion like he’s not a real Lannister, but Tyrion gets the last word on the matter.
He’s correct, as Game of Thrones repeatedly shows us how similar Tyrion and Tywin really are. They’re the brains responsible for keeping House Lannister alive throughout Game of Thrones‘s first four seasons, and they’re among the most strategic characters in the series overall. There’s an irony in their similarities, as Tywin would much prefer Jaime to be his prodigy. Tyrion finally stands up for himself in the Season 4 finale, though, and this line makes you wonder what he and Tywin would’ve been capable of had the latter not been so stubborn.
“A Mind Needs Books Like a Sword Needs a Whetstone.”
Tyrion’s Cleverness Isn’t a Coincidence
Tyrion is clever and strategic, and those qualities are the product of his own efforts. He’s an avid reader, something we discover as early as Game of Thrones Season 1. Jon Snow (Kit Harington) asks him about it, and he explains that his mind is his best way to contribute to House Lannister. Then he tells him, “A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone,” a comparison that Jon will appreciate as a swordsman.
He’s right that staying sharp is crucial to political maneuvering and decision-making, and that’s precisely why he’s skilled at both. His mind proves effective as a sword in several conflicts, with Game of Thrones proving that his reading pays off.
“Death Is So Final, Whereas Life Is Full of Possibilities.”
‘Game of Thrones’ Gets Unusually Optimistic for a Moment
As it turns out, quite a few of Tyrion’s greatest quotes come from Game of Thrones Season 1, including this line he says to Jaime. They’re discussing Bran, and Jaime — likely trying to ease his own guilt — says he’d rather have a “good, clean death” than be “grotesque.” Calling himself one of “the grotesque,” Tyrion challenges the sentiment. He then delivers an unusually uplifting line for the HBO show, reminding his brother and viewers that anything is possible.
It’s a plea for optimism, and it’s made better by the show’s ending. There’s a lot Game of Thrones Season 8 gets wrong, and Bran becoming king is far from a popular development. Yet Bran becoming the Three-Eyed Raven, and then going on to reign over Westeros, is unthinkable when Tyrion first says this. Ultimately, the boy proves he’s right.
“That’s What I Do. I Drink, and I Know Things.”
Tyrion’s Most Iconic Quote Perfectly Describes Him
One of Tyrion’s most iconic Game of Thrones quotes leans into humor, and it perfectly describes him as a character. When Daenerys Targaryen flies away from Mereen, Tyrion is left with Varys (Conleth Hill), Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel), and Grey Worm (Jacob Andersen), trying to keep things together in her absence. He notes that dragons don’t do well in captivity, explaining their refusal to eat. When Missandei asks how he knows this, his answer is to the point: “That’s what I do. I drink and I know things.”
It’s a succinct but all too accurate depiction of who Tyrion is, and Dinklage’s delivery is hilarious. The short nature of this line makes it incredibly quotable, so it’s no surprise it’s enduring. It’s even found on series merchandise.
“A True History of the World Is a History of Great Conversations in Elegant Rooms.”
With Fake Ancient Wisdom, Tyrion Nails the Plot of ‘Game of Thrones’
Tyrion has a habit of passing his own words off as ancient wisdom in Game of Thrones, and in this case, it’s actually believable. Another gem from his time with Missandei and Grey Worm, this line is uttered when he’s trying to convince Daenerys’s two biggest supporters to engage in conversation with him. They’re not impressed by the argument, but he does capture the entirety of Game of Thrones’s political plot in this one sentence.
He also elicits a laugh from viewers when Missandei asks, “Who said this?” and he tells her, “Me. Just now.” It’s extremely in character for Tyrion — and to be fair, he does eventually make history, for better and worse. The least Westeros can do is credit him for some great dialogue.
“Those Are Brave Men Knocking at Our Door. Let’s Go Kill Them!”
His Battle of the Blackwater Speech Is Perfect
The Battle of the Blackwater is among Game of Thrones‘s earliest battle sequences, but it’s still epic. And Tyrion’s speech is one of the most unforgettable moments from the conflict. With Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) abandoning his soldiers and many of them worrying about Stannis’s (Stephen Dillane) forces closing in, Tyrion attempts to rally his men. He’s surprisingly good at it, delivering a speech for the history books (not that he makes it into any of them):
“Don’t fight for a king. Don’t fight for his kingdoms. Don’t fight for honor, don’t fight for glory, don’t fight for riches, because you won’t get any. This is your city Stannis means to sack. That’s your gate he’s ramming. If he gets in, it will be your house that burns, your gold he steals, your women he rapes. Those are brave men knocking at our door. Let’s go kill them!”
The last part is the best, as it acknowledges a harsh truth about Game of Thrones: just because a character is another’s enemy doesn’t mean they aren’t brave or admirable. Stannis’s forces fight valiantly here, but Tyrion knows the only way for his own soldiers to survive is to take them out. It’s ruthless, but it’s also nice to see him acknowledge as much.
“Never Forget What You Are. The Rest of the World Will Not.”
Tyrion’s Wisest Advice Is Given to Jon Snow
Tyrion champions marginalized characters throughout Game of Thrones, and his wisest quote stems from that. Tyrion tells Jon Snow this in the show’s very first episode, and it’s a piece of advice that even viewers can take advantage of. Of course, Jon bristles at Tyrion’s bluntness when he says it, offended that Tyrion would acknowledge he’s a bastard outright. Tyrion doesn’t view it as an insult, though, realizing that it’s better to face one’s insecurities head-on:
“Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor, and it can never be used to hurt you.”
In Tyrion’s case, it’s clear that even the armor doesn’t prevent him fully from experiencing the pain. Yet it’s what helps him get by for so long, allowing him to hold his head high, even when his own family treats him so cruelly.
“I Am Guilty of a Far More Monstrous Crime. I Am Guilty of Being a Dwarf.”
Tyrion’s Trial Leads to His Best Scene and Quote
If there’s one Tyrion quote certain to go down in Game of Thrones history, it’s his speech from his trial in Season 4. Following Joffrey’s death, Tyrion is forced to stand in court and watch as former friends and his own family members drag his name through the mud. It’s clear Tywin doesn’t care if he’s innocent; he’s more concerned with making a point and using the chaos to his advantage. It’s enough for Tyrion to make a confession that sees years of resentment spilling out: “I’m guilty of a far more monstrous crime. I’m guilty of being a dwarf.“
When Tywin tells him he’s not on trial for that, Tyrion shoots back a great retort. “Oh, yes I am. I’ve been on trial for that my entire life,” he says, right before addressing the rest of King’s Landing with an angry speech that’s still one of Game of Thrones‘s best performances:
“I did not kill Joffrey, but I wish that I had! Watching your vicious bastard die gave me more relief than a thousand lying whores. I wish I was the monster you think I am. I wish I had enough poison for the whole pack of you. I would gladly give my life to watch you all swallow it.”
It’s shocking Dinklage doesn’t have an Emmy for this moment specifically, but his delivery ensures that this is front of mind when talking about Tyrion. He packs many great lines into this one speech, and the result is spectacular.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
