Tyrion Lannister is one of the most memorable and interesting Game of Thrones characters. He was born a dwaft and therefore "disrespected" his family name and legacy. And yet he used his disability to his advantage, deciding to honor his brains above all else.
He is also one of the most morally complex characters of the series. He typically means well, yet he still remains faithful to his tyrannical family throughout the series and even murders Shae and Tywin in cold blood.
But despite these flaws, he is wonderfully inspirational. These are ten of Tyrion Lannister's most inspiring quotes.
"Never Forget What You Are. Wear It Like Armor, And It Can Never Be Used To Hurt You."
One of Tyrion's most popular quotes comes from the very beginning of the series when he discusses family drama with Jon Snow. Tyrion's upbringing as a Lannister dwarf is well known (and quite infamous within Westeros), and Jon Snow is a bastard of Ned Stark. They both dishonor their families in different ways, but Snow takes things a bit more personally than Tyrion. To avoid future disappointment, Tyrion tells him to proudly own his flaws and "wear it like armor" to protect himself.
"None. But It Is Expected Of You."
In a weird way, Tyrion's onishment of Joffrey's selfish behavior proves inspirational. Tyrion tells Joffrey to offer his condolences to Catelyn and Ned Stark following Bran's "fall" from the tower. When Joffrey asks what good his condolences will do, Tyrion its that they won't do anything but that they are expected as a general courtesy. It's a reminder that we should always strive to be the best and most courteous people we can possibly be, even when we know our efforts are for naught.
"Death Is So Final, Whereas Life Is Full Of Possibilities."
Sometimes we can forget just how amazing life truly is. Luckily, Tyrion is here to remind us of its beauty. While having breakfast in Winterfell with Jaime, Jaime claims that he would rather die than live as a cripple. Tyrion, knowing something about disabilities, responds in earnest by telling Jaime that life is full of possibilities. It's another testament to Tyrion's pride and his resilient attitude towards those who look to offend him.
"I Must Do My Part For The Honor Of My House."
While Jon and Tyrion are heading north for the Wall, Jon asks Tyrion why he reads so much. Tyrion once again its his "flaw" as a dwarf and the disappointment it caused his regal family.
However, he also its that he must do his part to keep his family's honor and nobility. Jaime has his weapons expertise and Cersei is Queen of Westeros. Tyrion takes the route of intelligence and cunning to uphold his family's honor, hence the constant reading. It's a reminder that we all have a role to play, regardless of our flaws.
"Have You No Regard For Her Honor?"
If there's one person in King's Landing that Tyrion honors, it's Sansa Stark. In season two, Sansa is beating beaten and berated by King Joffrey and Meryn Trant when Tyrion and Bronn intercept. Tyrion rightfully rebukes the King by asking him if he has no honor. The quote itself isn't exactly inspirational, but Tyrion's attitude toward the innocent is commendable. We should all honor those around us and question those who dishonor others.
"The Water Never Flowed Better, And All The S*** Found Its Way To The Sea!"
Tyrion is a remarkable character. Not only because of his honor and moral complexity, but because he knows how to craft inspiration from the depths of his past using biting humor. While talking with Varys, Tyrion humbly remarks that Tywin put him in charge of Casterly Rock's sewage system. It's an obvious mocking of Tyrion's status, yet he used his father's slight for his own personal betterment and took pride in the job he had done. It's certainly not a nice job, but there's a certain honor in taking pride in your work.
"I'll Lead The Attack!"
One of Tyrion's best moments comes during The Battle of the Blackwater, when he decides to personally lead the attack against Stannis Baratheon's forces.
Tyrion knows full well that he is not a warrior, as do those fighting under him. But despite his hesitation, he put aside his personal fears and did what needed to be done. Some may see his decision to lead the attack as foolish, while others may see it as inspirational and noble.
"What Do I Want? A Little Bloody Gratitude Would Be A Start."
Season three saw some wonderful character development for Tyrion, and it mostly centered around his behavior towards the Lannister family. After defending King's Landing from Stannis' forces, Tyrion stands up for his honor and tells Tywin that he would love some gratitude for his accomplishments. It's a beautiful reminder that we should always stand up for ourselves and take pride in our accomplishments, even when others consider them laughable and not worthy of celebration.
"Every Time We Deal With An Enemy, We Create Two More."
Tyrion certainly knows a lot about political machinations and the general uselessness of war. While having a surprisingly tender conversation with Cersei, Tyrion remarks that every single time King's Landing and the Lannisters "deals" with an enemy, they only end up creating more. It's a wonderful testament to Tyrion's hesitance regarding war, revenge, and machinations, and it serves as a humble reminder for us all.
"I Am Your Son. I Have Always Been Your Son."
Tyrion's character development takes flight in season four, and it all culminates in him murdering his own father while he sits on the toilet. His fitting last words to his father are a reminder of his heritage - that no matter how Tywin personally feels about Tyrion's stature as a Lannister, he is still his son. It's a beautiful culmination of their relationship. Tyrion defends his status, and Tywin suffers for his pride and ingratitude. Always take pride in who you are.