Ian McKellen ’s muscular wizard is a reference of direction , counsel , and knowledge for the Fellowship inThe Lord of the Rings , making for a destiny of wise Gandalf quotes . In many ways , Gandalf exemplify the original of the maven quality , and he is cracking at dispensing soundness . While Gandalf is also super powerful , as one of the few Istari in midway - earth , his word is one of his superlative strength . Many of Gandalf ’s quotes are still enshrined in soda water culture today , decades after the original movies were released , and his wise are always worth remembering .

The best Gandalf quotes are often the ones that exhibit his immense wisdom . Throughout both theLord of the RingsandHobbitmovies , Gandalf is an priceless source of entropy and guidance . However , many of the wisest things that he says are simple phrases that can be applied to everyday life . Ian McKellen gave such lordliness and charm to Gandalf that it ’s almost impossible to ideate anyone else in the character , and any actor that takes it on in the hereafter will have with child robes to fulfill .

The difference between Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White goes beyond a press alteration . Here ’s how the wiz transformed in Lord of the Rings .

Lord of the Rings Gandalf Grey and White

15"There Never Was Much Hope. Just A Fool’s Hope."

Gandalf inThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

While this Gandalf quote fromThe Lord of the Ringsmay seem pessimistic at first , it ’s really incredibly reassuring in the pragmatic outlook on the world that it reveal . The quote comes inThe Lord of the Rings : The Return of the Kingwhen Pippin asks Gandalf if there ’s any hopefor Sam and Frodo . The terrified hobbit is looking to the White Wizard for some sureness that the danger they face in Minas Tirith will be worth it , and if there ’s still a chance that Sauron can be defeat .

Gandalf ’s solution ab initio seems to be the opposite of what Pippin require to listen . However , Pippin cursorily recognise that Gandalf ’s news are the pure commixture of comforting and naturalistic . This Gandalf inverted comma is essentially say that their journeying was , on newspaper publisher , doomed from the outset . Gandalf is pointing out to Pippin that they have defied the betting odds clip and time again . Gandalf is order Pippin that the same may well still be dead on target for Sam and Frodo - which , as viewers bang , is exactly the case .

14"Keep Your Forked Tongue Behind Your Teeth."

Gandalf inThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

This Gandalf quote fromThe Lord of the Rings : The Two Towersdoesn’t mean much out of context , but it ’s one of the best for exhibit the unconditioned wisdom the wizard has . It come when Gandalf first go far at Edoras , the capital of Rohan , to find that King Theoden has become a wizened , withered shadow of his former ego . Unlike many of the Rohirrim , Gandalf can see the problem straight away -Theoden ’s adviser , Grima Wormtongue .

Being the unbelievably wise character he is , Gandalf knows that no goodness will number from Grima having a single word in the conversation . He silences Grima immediately , telling him"I have not pass through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm!“It ’s one of several Gandalf quotes that are n’t needs wise in and of themselves , but rather display his wisdom and understanding of the world around him .

13"Do You Mean To Wish Me A Good Morning Or Do You Mean That It Is A Good Morning Whether I Want It Or Not?”

Gandalf InThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Not only is this one of the funniest Gandalf quotation mark , but it also display how the champion can apply his wisdom to throw uncertaintly into a conversation and direct it towards the outcome he desires . When he first meets Bilbo Baggins inThe Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey , Bilbo greets him with a dismissive " Good morning" . Gandalf is cagey enough to know that Bilbo ’s desire not to be disturbed is secure indeed , so the wizard will have to practice no shortage of societal handling to get the titular hobbit to decent engage .

To do this , Gandalf dissects the statement " right dawn " in such a way that Bilbo is beyond confused , so much so that he ’s unable to keep up his dismissive walls . Not only is it an fantastically funny interaction , but it ’s also the perfect exhibit of how wise Gandalf truly is . By nonplus Bilbo so exhaustively , he assure that the hobbit ca n’t just disregard him or profess to hear . He apprehend Bilbo ’s attention fully , an accomplishment that was nowhere about as soft as it looked .

12"Do Not Tempt Me, Frodo!"

Gandalf InThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

This quote fromThe Lord of the Rings : The Fellowship of the Ringis another display of Gandalf ’s sapience that does n’t amount from the words themselves , but what the word play . Many role inThe Lord of the Rings , such as Boromir and Isildur , consider that they would be a far safer option than Frodo to take chargeof The One Ring . Even Frodo , at first , believes The Ring would be much safe with someone like Gandalf . However , Gandalf winnow out Frodo ’s go to take it , and in doing so displays an authoritative aspect of his wisdom - his self - savvy .

It ’s this introspective wisdom that elevates him above the like of Saruman , and while this quote fromThe society of the Ringis short and unsubdivided , it ’s an crucial tune of dialogue for infer Gandalf as a character .

Gandalf does n’t simply tell Frodo " no",he specifically aver " do n’t tempt me , Frodo" . It ’s a subtle but important note . With this quotation mark , Gandalf showing just how much he ’s in melodic phrase with his own inner desire and defect . He acknowledges there ’s a part of him that would lie with to possess The One Ring , and is tempt by the tycoon it would allow him to wield . It ’s this introverted wiseness that promote him above the likes of Saruman , and while this quote fromThe Fellowship of the Ringis short and mere , it ’s an important logical argument of negotiation for understanding Gandalf as a character .

Custom image of Elijah Wood looking evil as Frodo in The Return of the King juxtaposed with an AI image of an evil Gandalf.

11"Fly, You Fools!"

Gandalf inThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring

Not only is this one of the most iconic Gandalf quotes fromThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy , it ’s also one that displays his wisdom . What ’s more , much like his asking that Frodo does n’t tempt him by offering him The One Ring , it also displays his wisdom in a more subtle fashion than the Gandalf quotation that are him offer advice or word of comfort . This inverted comma comes when Gandalf hasjust transport the Balrogplummeting into the deepness of Moria , only for the ancient beast to snap up Gandalf ’s mortise joint with its whip .

Gandalf can see that the Fellowship want to save him , though he tells them not to - alternatively urging them to flee . Not only is this an incredible display of selflessness , but it ’s also Gandalf once again showing how sassy he is ( though not , as some trust , because he ’s hinting for them to travel toMordor using the Eagles).He knows that the Fellowship wo n’t be able to pull him up while he ’s in the Balrog ’s range , and that if they tried , it could designate them all .

10“Many That Live Deserve Death. Some That Die Deserve Life. Can You Give It To Them, Frodo? Do Not Be Too Eager To Deal Out Death In Judgment. Even The Very Wise Cannot See All Ends.”

Gandalf inThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Given that he ’s know for one thousand of age , has conk out and been resurrected , and bed some of the cryptic secret about the world of Middle - earth , Gandalf has a lot more penetration into spirit and death than the mean Hobbit or man inThe Lord of the Rings . However , he did n’t just gain this wiseness after experiencing death himself and hark back as Gandalf the White , as he give Frodo this key advice inThe Fellowship of the Ring .

As an Istari , he has an super long lifesimilar to the Elves , and it ’s from this property of effective immortality and the wisdom it bring that Gandalf brings forth some advice for Frodo . When Frodo express disgust over Gollum ( Andy Serkis ) and wishes for his death , Gandalf offers these Christian Bible of advice . While wish that evil people were n’t around any longer might be normal , Gandalf cue Frodo that it ’s not anyone ’s position to deal out death and that how the way things work together , in the ending , ca n’t always be seen .

Gandalf tell apart Frodo not to " tempt " him with Sauron ’s One Ring in Lord of the Rings , and this was n’t just an one-time magician being overly cautious .

Gandalf the White standing in front of soldiers in The Lord of the Rings.

9"The Old Wisdom Born Out Of The West Was Forsaken. Kings Made Tombs More Splendid Than The Houses Of The Living And Counted The Names Of Their Descent Dearer Than The Names Of Their Sons."

Gandalf InThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

One of the wisest Gandalf quote only cook it intothe drawn-out version ofThe Return of the King , but it ’s a moment that ’s deserving highlighting for its relevance to some of the key themes seen in the final episode in theLord of the Ringstrilogy . As Gandalf and Pippin ( Billy Boyd ) take the air away from their disheartening first encounter with Denethor ( John Noble ) , Gandalf explains to Pippin how the descent of kings had give way and how Gondor had break into a state of decline .

Gandalf acutely observes that compulsion with the past times played a vast part in Gondor becoming a shadow of its former ego

Though he would never have hear to them , Denethor require these Holy Scripture most of all , his discourse of Faramir ( David Wenham ) directly echoing Gandalf ’s assessment of the rot lying at the heart of the world of Men . Gandalf acutely observes that fixation with the past play a Brobdingnagian part in Gondor becoming a dark of its former ego , and that the realm could only heal when it had a swayer who valued the future more than their own bequest and how it compared to ruler of age gone by .

Custom image of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings

8"True Courage Is About Knowing Not When To Take A Life But When To Spare One."

Despite facing many dangers in his journeys over the course ofThe Lord of the Ringsmovies , Gandalf is not one to kill even his foeman without thought . He further establishes this belief during a significant moment when Gandalf hands Bilbo his iconic brand , Sting , an iconic fictional weapon system that Frodo would inherit inThe Lord of the Rings .

The Gandalf quote fromThe Hobbit : An Unexpected Journeyis deeply wise advice , but it also has an interesting connection to the plot of ground , as this is the part of the story in which Bilbo meet and then spare the life of the character Gollum . postulate pity on Gollum as Frodo would also do , Bilbo ’s decision not to kill Gollum sets in motion the acts that ultimately destroy both Gollum and the Ring of Power in the fires of Mount Doom many days later on in the events ofThe Return of the King .

While the best Gandalf quotes are often quite serious , he can also be rather rum . Gandalf has a faint side and a good sense of humour that amount out fairly often . This is especially true when he is talking to Hobbits . When the Fellowship gets lost in Moria , Gandalf finds their way through using a less - than - scientific method acting . Despite his great intelligence and swear on that intellect to steer him in the correct direction , Gandalf is also willing to intromit he is not complete and that sometimes his choices are free-base on slight more than catgut opinion and inherent aptitude .

Gandalf and Pippin face off against the Witch-king in Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Rather than spend twenty-four hours essay to crop out how to pilot Moria — which could have meant run low on resourcefulness and starving , being snipe by Goblins , or any number of other fatal problems — Gandalf knew that the situation called for a less precise but much faster agency to get back on data track .

This quote , while humorous , also show that Gandalf is wise enough to know when measured provision and intelligence are n’t the best solution to a job . Rather than drop Clarence Day trying to ferment out how to navigate Moria — which could have meant go low on resource and starving , being aggress by Goblins , or any identification number of other fateful problems — Gandalf have it away that the situation call for a less precise but much fast way to get back on track .

Gandalf the Grey ’s transmutation into Gandalf the White change the tide in in-between - earth ’s favour during The Lord of the Rings trilogy .

Grima Wormtongue crying in The Lord Of The Rings

6“The World Is Not In Your Books And Maps. It’s Out There.”

InThe Hobbit , especially in the books , Gandalf is less serious than he is inThe Lord of the Rings . This is because the overall situation in halfway - earth buzz off much uncollectible as the story goes on , but when he meets Bilbo he ’s in rather good disembodied spirit . However , his levity does n’t mean that he ’s any less of a source of sapience and insight for those around him , specially Bilbo Baggins . Bilbo is a rare Hobbit who have intercourse both quilt and adventure , and Gandalf encourages him to go through the world .

This impertinent Gandalf quotation mark is also a good admonisher for fans ofThe Lord of the RingsandThe Hobbitthat life is meant for subsist , and as comfort as fantasy can be for escapism , it ’s no substitute for the outside world . It ’s also a quote that , when read in the books , has a certain hint of caustic remark to it . It ’s perhaps a substance from Tolkien directly to his readers — as much as the author relish the mind of someone getting fall back in the adventures he ’s put on the page , he ’d also love for them to go out into the world and have some of their own .

Gandalf and Bilbo say good morning

Gandalf looking at Frodo in The Lord of the Rings The Fellowship of the Ring

Ian McKellen as Gandalf holding his sword and staff, fighting the Balrog, in Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

Elijah Wood as Frodo and Gandalf in the Mines of Moria.

Gandalf and Pippin speaking to Denethor in the Lord of the Rings Return of the King

Gandalf talking to Bilbo outside the troll horde in The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey

Gandalf in the Mines of Moria in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

Movies

The Hobbit