Summary
- Time is of the essence, even for an immortal like Gandalf. Use every moment wisely.
- Gandalf's return as Gandalf the White signals a turning of the tide in the war.
- True courage lies in sparing lives, not taking them. Kindness and love keep darkness at bay.
Gandalf the Gray. Gandalf the White. Gandalf the Wise. This wizard is synonymous with The Lord of the Rings franchise, featuring in all six movie adaptions of Tolkien’s work. All of these movies are dotted with nuggets of wisdom and advice from this great wizard, which the characters and audiences would do well to take to heart.
Coming out with lines of devastating defiance, scorching savagery, and comforting counsel, Gandalf’s words have rung true throughout the years and stuck in the minds of fans and audiences. Here are the best quotes from The Lord of the Rings’ resident wizard.
Updated on November 30, 2023, by Jake Fillery: The Lord of the Rings is a beloved series of literature from J. R. R. Tolkien. His work is nothing short of inspiring, and within his marvelous work, readers find love for many characters, including Gandalf. Decades later, Peter Jackson and Ian McKellen brought Gandalf to the big screen and immortalized his words with a face and a voice to do the old wizard justice. As such, many of the best Gandalf quotes are sprinkled throughout The Hobbit films and The Lord of the Rings trilogy of films, providing audiences with some truly inspiring Gandalf quotes.
16 "Three Hundred Lives Of Men I Have Walked This Earth And Now I Have No Time."
Time Is Of The Essence, Even For An Immortal
- Featured In: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Gandalf is no stranger to immortality, as he states here that he has walked Middle-earth for over the lives of three hundred men, which places him as an old figure, one that rivals the age of the oldest elves themselves. Yet, no matter his age, and no matter how much time he has had, it will not aid him in the fact that he needs more time.
Time is something Gandalf might have taken for granted considering his age, but now with this war ravishing Middle-earth, and the threat of darkness casting a shadow over his hope, it's essential now more than ever that he uses that time wisely, as if he were a mortal man.
15 "I Come Back To You Now - At The Turn Of The Tide."
Gandalf Returns, Preparing For War
- Featured In: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
When Gandalf fell at the hands of his fight with the balrog, those not familiar with the books were saddened to see this loss, the defeat of a wonderful wizard who the Fellowship truly needed in their darkest hour. Yet, Gandalf returns, not as Gandalf the Grey, but as Gandalf the White, and his recollection of his friends and his purpose comes with a grand quote indeed.
Gandalf's quote here solidifies his purpose, and his pretty cool nature, as he says here how he's come to aid in the destruction of Sauron's army by reversing the fortune of their enemy. With Gandalf at their side, hope remains in the Fellowship once more.
14 "Of All The Inquisitive Hobbits, Peregrin Took, You Are The Worst."
Gandalf Often Has A Bone To Pick With Pippin
- Featured In: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Gandalf and Pippin have a complicated friendship, and more often than not, Gandalf is going to make a snarky comment at Pippin's expense. Whilst audiences might link this back to pettiness, due to the fact that Pippin holds some of the blame for Gandalf's death for awakening the goblins and the balrog, it's not entirely his fault, as it's mainly his inquisitive nature.
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This nature, this curiosity, comes at the cost of Gandalf's patience, to which he makes a humorous remark on how Pippin is by far the worst inquisitive Hobbit he has ever met, since this nature has put them in danger more than once, and for Gandalf, that is one time too many.
13 "I Did Not Pass Through Fire And Death To Bandy Crooked Words With A Witless Worm."
Gandalf Doesn't Have Kind Words For Wormtongue
- Featured In: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Gandalf shows his savage side with this quote, making his feelings for the slimy Grima Wormtongue abundantly clear. Having had enough of Grima’s questioning of his character in front of Theoden, Gandalf unleashes his pent-up anger, tiredness, and frustration on the insidious creature.
Seeing Grima get put in his place was a great moment, as he had been dripping poison into the king’s ear for long enough. After all, Gandalf fought a Balrog and won; Grima stood no chance.
12 "True Courage Is About Knowing Not When To Take A Life, But When To Spare One."
Gandalf's Belief That Life Is Sacred Shows The Hope He Has For Middle-earth
- Featured In: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
Ever the wise, Gandalf provides Bilbo with a sword more his size and gives a few wonderful words of wisdom to the reluctant Hobbit, who wishes not to take a sword, and the life of another. Gandalf makes the point that courage is not dictated by the lives one has taken, but by the lives they have spared.
Once again, Gandalf sees wisdom in all things, and his life lessons are simply beautiful. Gandalf's encouragement to Bilbo to not be a killer, but a courageous Hobbit who knows when to use his blade, proves that he can turn the smallest thing into a hero.
11 "I Have Found It Is The Small Things, Everyday Deeds Of Ordinary Folk That Keeps The Darkness At Bay. Simple Acts Of Kindness And Love."
Gandalf Discusses Bilbo Baggins With Galadriel
- Featured In: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
In one of the more quiet and somber conversations that Gandalf has, he speaks to Galadriel about the Halfling, Bilbo Baggins, and why he would bring him on this adventure. Gandalf's reply is of confusion and wonder, as he doesn't truly know why he brought Bilbo, until he confesses to Galadriel his admiration for the simple life of the Halfling people.
In Gandalf's quote, he explains that being a hero does not mean one has to slay dragons or adventure. A hero can be anyone who stands against evil, whether that's having a normal life, being kind for but a moment, or being extraordinary by being simple and ordinary indeed.
10 "Don't Tempt Me Frodo."
Gandalf Fears The One Ring's Hold Above All Else
- Featured In: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Gandalf is not the kind of wizard to raise his voice very often, so when he does, viewers know it's serious. In The Fellowship Of The Ring, Gandalf shows himself to be more than just a kindly old wizard who makes impressive fireworks. He is also a being of power and commitment. When Frodo tries to give the One Ring to Gandalf, his reply makes it very clear that he cannot and will not take it.
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Despite his sternness, it truly shows how committed Gandalf is to the cause of good. The sternness is not just for Frodo but for himself as well. Gandalf sharply cuts off any effort to give him the Ring, as he is fully aware of the power he would gain, and the damage he could cause. Gandalf is putting the well-being of all above his own greed and temptation.
9 "There Never Was Much Hope. Just A Fool's Hope."
Hope Is A Fool's Game, But The Most Essential Game
- Featured In: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Gandalf was never a wizard to give a straight answer, and he is just as cryptic in The Return of The King, when Pippin asks if there is any hope for Frodo and Sam, and by extension, for all of Middle-earth. Gandalf’s response betrays a quiet hope in the success of his Hobbit friends.
This reassurance also contains a subtle nod back to their first interaction, and Pippin earning the now legendary epithet “fool of a Took”. Despite the overwhelming forces of evil arrayed against them, Gandalf is telling Pippin that he should never give up hope.
8 "Do Not Be Too Eager To Deal Out Death In Judgment. Even The Very Wise Cannot See All Ends."
Gandalf's Sage Advise On Who Deserves To Live and Who Deserves To Die
- Featured In: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
As an Istari, Gandalf has lived hundreds of years, and you don’t live that long without learning a few things about life and death. When Frodo desires Gollum’s death, Gandalf gives yet another piece of sage advice.
It is not the right of any one person to decide who lives and who dies, and no one can see how the rest of someone’s life will play out, and the good they might do. Gandalf proves to be right yet again as Gollum aids Frodo and Sam enter Mordor, avoiding the servants of Sauron.
7 "All We Have To Decide Is What To Do With The Time That Is Given To Us."
Gandalf's Philosophy On How Time And Mortality Is Sacred
- Featured In: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Wishing to turn back time and do things over again is not unusual, and in the Mines of Moria, Frodo confides the same wish to Gandalf. The young Hobbit wants to take back all that has happened and wishes the One Ring had never come to him in the first place.
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Gandalf, in all his wisdom, tells him to focus on the time he has, not the time he wishes he had, and to make the most out of every moment. The course of events is beyond Frodo’s and even Gandalf’s control, and Frodo should put his efforts into what he can influence, rather than futile worries.