Ronald Weasley’s character is generally met with a mixed response from fans of Harry Potter due to many aspects that were changed about him in the movies. Rupert Grint’s portrayal is largely well-received, however, and he did a great job with the material that he was given.
All things considered, Ron can still be considered the best wizard even in the movies when certain quotes of his are seen with a deeper context. These reveal his attributes of love, loyalty, relatability, and true bravery. Book fans who aren’t as taken with the movie version of the character might just change their opinions when they learn the meaning behind Ron’s words.
Ron's Faith In Harry (Sorcerer's Stone)
"Harry, It's You That Has To Go On. I Know It. Not Me. Not Hermione. You."
This very well qualifies for Ron’s best quote overall in the Harry Potter series, as it reflects the fact that he saw the heroic spirit in Harry before anyone else. It came at a time when Ron was about to sacrifice himself on the chessboard, making it significant that he worried more about Harry than himself.
Ron understood that neither he nor Hermione was supposed to face Voldemort and that their roles were to get Harry this far. The fact that an 11-year-old could be this mature and selfless is a testament to how Ron lived up to being a true Gryffindor through and through.
Ron Wins Back Hermione (Deathly Hallows - Part 1)
"I Heard It. A Voice. Your Voice, Hermione. You Said My Name. Just My Name. Like A Whisper."
The locket showed the greatest fears Ron held in Harry Potter, ranging from his insecurities to his fear that Hermione didn’t return his feelings. After initially abandoning his friends, Ron returned to save Harry’s life and destroy the Horcrux. While Hermione remained angry, Ron managed to win her back through genuinely sentimental words.
Ron revealed the Deluminator called out to him when he heard Hermione say his name, painting such a heartfelt picture that Hermione’s anger dissipated away because she knew he was telling the truth. It went to show that Ron was, at heart, still a hero and that he’d never truly abandon those he loved.
Ron Sticks Up For Harry (Order Of The Phoenix)
"Why? Because You-Know-Who's Back, You Tosspot!"
Much of the fandom is convinced that Harry and Ron are true soulmates, with both always looking out for each other. Ron was the kind of friend Harry needed who was there by his side through it all, with Ron even feeling offended when someone questioned Harry.
In the Hog’s Head Inn, Zacharias Smith doubted Harry was telling the truth about Voldemort’s return, to which Ron responded with this quote. He knew exactly what Smith was implying and was aware that Harry didn’t want to address Cedric’s death, leading to Ron putting Smith in his place to spare Harry any embarrassment.
Ron Tells Hermione Love Isn't That Complicated (Order Of The Phoenix)
"One Person Couldn't Feel All That. They'd Explode."
Although Hermione was generally very perceptive, she could be rather overbearing for Harry’s liking and the latter needed a more grounded approach. After his first kiss with Cho, Hermione confused Harry with all Cho must have been feeling, which didn’t help matters.
Ron chimed in with this quote to diffuse the tension and it did the trick as the three friends had a good laugh about it. It went to show that Ron’s easygoing nature was needed for the characters to see things from a casual context and that he brought humor where others weren't able to.
Ron Inadvertently Burns Snape (Chamber Of Secrets)
"Honestly, Professor Snape, I Think It Did More Damage To Us."
Escaping the Whomping Willow was one of the many times Ron was lucky to survive in the Harry Potter series. Snape wasn’t so sympathetic, however, and reprimanded Ron and Harry for using a flying car to Hogwarts, claiming they had even damaged the Whomping Willow.
Ron responded with this quote and inadvertently took a shot at Snape’s intelligence. It was the kind of cheeky comeback that most of the other characters wouldn’t have dared to take, while also showing the daring nature Ron had to respond to Snape when the majority would be afraid to say anything.
Ron Adapts To Battle Conditions (Deathly Hallows - Part 1)
"The World's Mental."
Ron was the quickest of the trio to come to terms with the Wizarding World’s second war after they were forced to retreat into hiding. The three fought off Voldemort’s Death Eaters and were unsure of what to do with the men after they had them at their mercy.
While Hermione and Harry were scared at the prospect of making difficult decisions, Ron claimed that they had to adapt to the world's state. At that moment, Ron took charge and got the other two in the headspace that they needed to survive now that they were on their own.
Ron Hints At His Feelings For Hermione (Half-Blood Prince)
"Hermione's Got Nice Skin. You Know, As Far As Skin Goes."
Ron is the most relatable character of the students in Harry’s year, giving off the correct vibe of what it’s like to be an awkward teenager. He had a rather uncomfortable conversation with Harry where the latter claimed Ginny - whom Harry had feelings for - had nice skin.
Ron suggested that Hermione shared that attribute, which confused Harry since Hermione was never a topic within the conversation. While it was somewhat embarrassing, the sentiment behind the quote can be easily understood since it portrays how teenagers struggle to come to terms with their emotions.
Ron Says What Viewers Are Thinking (Half-Blood Prince)
"Believe Me, Professor, I've Been Asking Myself That Question For Six Years."
The trio had a habit of landing into trouble even when they didn’t go looking for it. After they came across Katie Bell’s mishap with the cursed necklace, they were questioned by Professor McGonagall and Snape over why they were always found where trouble lurked.
Ron basically said what the audience was thinking, as he couldn’t understand why fate was such that he and his friends were constantly in the line of fire. Ron can be seen as the audience surrogate for how he voices out things that the characters in-universe otherwise tend to ignore.
Ron Defends Harry (Order Of The Phoenix)
"Has Anyone Else Got A Problem With Harry?"
Ron made up for doubting Harry the previous year to be unquestionably by his side in the next. When the entire Wizarding World bought into the Daily Prophet’s lies about Harry being a “nutter,” the latter faced a lot of verbal abuse from his peers.
Ron walked in to see Harry in an argument and interjected himself into the conversation to stand up for his best friend. It was significant for the fact that nobody else had come to Harry’s aid, yet Ron put himself in between to take on the entire Gryffindor common room to claim his unflinching loyalty to Harry.
Ron Provides Harry With Context (Deathly Hallows - Part 1)
"You May Be The Chosen One, Mate, But This Is A Whole Lot Bigger Than That."
Ron understood better than most what the stakes were when Voldemort returned to power, being the one to prevent Harry from running away without his friends. He called Harry out for thinking people died only for him, making him see that they had given their lives for a world free from evil men like Voldemort.
It went to show that Ron wasn’t afraid to bring Harry down to where the rest were, even if he was the Chosen One. Harry ultimately realized that he needed to be rational thanks to Ron and the latter’s words made all the difference since it ensured Harry didn’t go on his own when he couldn’t have survived that way.